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Awareness of Nutrition and Supplements Among Pregnant and Preconception Women: A Real-World Study in Vietnam
BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed relationships between health literacy (HL) and nutritional awareness in preconception/pregnancy populations, especially within Asia. We explored the rationale for nutrition-related education and/or HL interventions to improve nutritional intake among preconcept...
Autores principales: | , , |
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Formato: | Online Artículo Texto |
Lenguaje: | English |
Publicado: |
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
2023
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Materias: | |
Acceso en línea: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10615086/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37908636 http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/whr.2023.0014 |
Sumario: | BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed relationships between health literacy (HL) and nutritional awareness in preconception/pregnancy populations, especially within Asia. We explored the rationale for nutrition-related education and/or HL interventions to improve nutritional intake among preconception/pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based real-world study was conducted among 100 preconception and 200 pregnant women in Vietnam in January/February 2022. The questionnaire included a validated screening tool for HL (Newest Vital Sign [NVS]), and questions on preconception/pregnancy-related nutritional knowledge and behavior, prenatal supplementation, sources of nutritional advice. RESULTS: Most respondents (62%) had limited HL and only 5% had adequate HL. Respondents with limited HL (NVS 0–1) showed less awareness of benefits of healthy eating before/during pregnancy, such as reduction in risk of birth defects. Most (94%) considered prenatal supplements beneficial, yet 64% were not convinced of supplement safety. The limited HL group reported the lowest use of supplements, including multivitamins, iron, and folic acid/folate. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of limited HL and the low awareness of preconception/pregnancy-related nutrition suggest an urgent need to invest in nutrition-specific education and improving HL in maternal populations. This will help support adequate maternal nutrition and appropriate micronutrient supplementation before conception and throughout the “first 1000 days” of life. |
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