Abstract
BackgroundMany low- and middle-income countries recommend micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to improve their nutritional status, prevent possible deficiencies and avoid fetal healgth consequences. This study evaluated the influence of socioeconomic status on the use of folic acid, iron salts and other vitamins and minerals among pregnant women in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort.MethodsThis population-based birth cohort study was carried out with 4270 women. Participants were interviewed during pregnancy and at the maternity hospital about the antenatal period; including the use of iron salts, vitamins and other minerals. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize the sample. The analyses were adjusted according to socioeconomic variables (maternal education, ethnicity, household income).ResultsThe overall prevalence of the use of folic acid, iron salts or other vitamins and minerals was 91.0% (95% CI: 90.1–91.8). Specifically, 70.9% (95% CI: 69.5–72.3) used folic acid, 72.9% (95% CI: 71.5–74.3) used iron compounds, and 31.8% (95% CI: 30.3–33.2) used other vitamins or minerals. In the adjusted analysis, the use of iron salts was associated with nonwhite mothers, with ≤4 years of education and whose family income was less than or equal to the monthly minimum wage. The use of folic acid and other vitamins and minerals was associated with white mothers who were more highly educated and had a higher family income.ConclusionAlthough folic acid and other vitamins and minerals were more frequently used in white, richer and more educated mothers, which indicates inequality, iron supplements were more frequently used in the poorer, less educated nonwhite mothers, suggesting the opposite association for this supplement.
Highlights
Many low- and middle-income countries recommend micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to improve their nutritional status, prevent possible deficiencies and avoid fetal healgth consequences
Of the 4270 mothers who participated in Cohort of 2015 (C2015), 3886 (91.0, 95% Confidence interval (CI), 90.1–91.8) reported using folic acid, iron salts or other vitamins and minerals during pregnancy
70.9% used folic acid, 72.9% used some type of iron compound and 30.3% used other vitamins or minerals
Summary
Many low- and middle-income countries recommend micronutrient supplements for pregnant women to improve their nutritional status, prevent possible deficiencies and avoid fetal healgth consequences. This study evaluated the influence of socioeconomic status on the use of folic acid, iron salts and other vitamins and minerals among pregnant women in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Micronutrient deficiencies are common among women of reproductive age, and multiple supplements are often indicated for pregnant women. These micronutrient deficiencies may occur due to losses or malabsorption associated with disease, inadequate intake, high fertility rate, short intervals between pregnancies, lack of adequate food intake remains the preferred means of meeting micronutrient requirements, some micronutrient requirements are difficult to meet during pregnancy through diet alone. Prophylactic use of iron salts prevents anemia and reduces the risk of low birth weight [6, 7]. Supplementation with other minerals, such as copper, selenium, magnesium and zinc, has been shown to reduce labor complications and contribute to fetal development [1, 2, 9]
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