Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy: a KAP survey with healthcare consultants in India

Sunita Chandra; Sheela V. Mane; Parag Biniwale; M. Tripura Sundari; Anuradha Mulye; Charles Adhav

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20230127

Authors

Sunita Chandra Rajendra Nagar Hosipital and IVF Centre, Rajendra Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Sheela V. Mane Anugraha Nursing Home, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Parag Biniwale Biniwale Clinic, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India
M. Tripura Sundari KIMS Hospitals, Begumpet, Ramgopalpet, Secunderabad, Telangana, India
Anuradha Mulye Pfizer Ltd., Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Charles Adhav Pfizer Ltd., Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20230127

Keywords:

Micronutrient supplementation, Pregnancy, Folic acid, KAP

Abstract

Background: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a serious public health issue as it negatively impacts women and their children. The most commonly used nutritional interventions during pregnancy are folic acid and omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA). This survey aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and perception towards folic acid, n-3 FA and other supplementation amongst healthcare practitioners (HCPs).

Methods: A close-ended questionnaire-based survey was distributed among obstetricians-gynaecologists and HCPs overlooking pregnant and lactating women between July and September 2022 in India. An excel based survey analysis was performed once the survey completed.

Results: A total of 500 valid questionnaires were collected. Only 55% of them recommended n-3 FA, whereas 45% did not recommend as they believed that the typical Indian diet provides enough n-3 FA and supplements are not necessary. The majority (58.91%) of prescribers prescribed n-3 FA to all pregnant women, followed by older women with a history of abortion and high-risk pregnancy. Both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were favoured in clinical practice. In addition, 56.8% of HCPs recommended folic acid at a dose of 5 mg/day for patients with a bad obstetric history, while 43.2% of HCPs recommended folic acid at a dose of 1 mg/day.

Conclusions: Supplements and adequate nutrition can reduce the likelihood of poor maternal and foetal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies. Nutritional supplementation is a cost-effective and safe risk-reduction method, given the high prevalence of pregnancy complications. However, more knowledge dissemination on n-3 FA supplements, folic acid and micronutrients is essential.

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