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Maternal adherence with recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements: A cross‐sectional survey
Author(s) -
Reynolds Andrew N.,
Skeaff Sheila A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12719
Subject(s) - cross sectional study , breastfeeding , medicine , folic acid , pregnancy , environmental health , folic acid supplementation , iodine , family medicine , national health and nutrition examination survey , pediatrics , population , materials science , pathology , biology , metallurgy , genetics
We conducted a survey of 535 New Zealand women to determine supplement use pre‐pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to evaluate adherence with national recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplementation. Our findings suggest that despite these women being well‐educated and motivated to complete an online survey, there was low adherence to recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements. Only 38% of women reported supplement intake that met both folic acid and iodine recommendations. This cross‐sectional survey provides information useful to policy makers, clinicians and researchers seeking to protect and promote maternal and infant health.