Jamie Bryant1, Amy E Waller2, Emilie C Cameron2, Rob W Sanson-Fisher2, Alexis J Hure3. 1. Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Jamie.Bryant@newcastle.edu.au. 2. Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia. 3. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Given the influence of diet on infant and maternal health outcomes, adequate knowledge about nutrition during pregnancy is critical. AIMS: To examine among women receiving antenatal care the proportion who: (1) believe information about diet should be provided as part of routine antenatal care; (2) recall receiving advice about diet as part of care including: (a) when information was provided, (b) the healthcare provider who gave information, and (c) the format in which it was provided; and (3) attitudes towards information received. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with women attending a public antenatal clinic in New South Wales, Australia. Women were eligible to participate if they were: pregnant or had given birth in the previous 10 weeks; ≥18 years; and had at least one prior antenatal appointment for their current pregnancy. FINDINGS: A total of 223 women (64% consent rate) participated. While the majority (86%) believed healthcare providers should be giving dietary information to pregnant women, only 63% recalled receiving information during their current pregnancy. Most often it was given by a midwife (76%). Information was initially provided in the first (52%) or second (38%) trimester, in both written and verbal form (60%). Approximately one third of participants felt overwhelmed or confused by which foods should be avoided during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: A third of women did not recall receiving advice about diet as part of routine antenatal care. There is a need to develop a pathway to provide women with reliable, comprehensive advice about diet early in pregnancy.
PROBLEM: Given the influence of diet on infant and maternal health outcomes, adequate knowledge about nutrition during pregnancy is critical. AIMS: To examine among women receiving antenatal care the proportion who: (1) believe information about diet should be provided as part of routine antenatal care; (2) recall receiving advice about diet as part of care including: (a) when information was provided, (b) the healthcare provider who gave information, and (c) the format in which it was provided; and (3) attitudes towards information received. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with women attending a public antenatal clinic in New South Wales, Australia. Women were eligible to participate if they were: pregnant or had given birth in the previous 10 weeks; ≥18 years; and had at least one prior antenatal appointment for their current pregnancy. FINDINGS: A total of 223 women (64% consent rate) participated. While the majority (86%) believed healthcare providers should be giving dietary information to pregnant women, only 63% recalled receiving information during their current pregnancy. Most often it was given by a midwife (76%). Information was initially provided in the first (52%) or second (38%) trimester, in both written and verbal form (60%). Approximately one third of participants felt overwhelmed or confused by which foods should be avoided during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: A third of women did not recall receiving advice about diet as part of routine antenatal care. There is a need to develop a pathway to provide women with reliable, comprehensive advice about diet early in pregnancy.
Authors: Posy Bidwell; Nick Sevdalis; Louise Silverton; James Harris; Ipek Gurol-Urganci; Alexandra Hellyer; Robert Freeman; Jan van der Meulen; Ranee Thakar Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 2.894