Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(9):246-251
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000900005
PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and to identify maternal factors associated with its consumption. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 280 women from the city of Diamantina (MG), Brazil. The dependent variable was use of a folic acid supplement during pregnancy, and the independent variables were age and maternal schooling, number of prenatal care visits, parity, marital status and presence or absence of anemia. Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the association of independent variables with the dependent variable. RESULTS: Women with less education, adolescents, and number of prenatal visits less than seven were 1.61 (95%CI=1.34-1.93), 1.18 (95%CI=1.03-1.35) e 1.18 (95%CI=1.02-1.37) more likely not to consume the supplement during pregnancy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of consumption of folic acid among pregnant women was low, associated with maternal age and education and number of prenatal visits.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(6):331-339
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000600003
PURPOSE: to evaluate the impact of supplementary ferrous sulfate and dietary counseling on hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. METHODS: a total of 197 pregnant women were evaluated during antenatal care at a health center. The treatment group consisted of 105 women who were prescribed 60 mg dietary iron per day, received dietary counseling and had hemoglobin measured by a portable photometer between the 14th and 20th week of pregnancy. The treatment group was reevaluated according to hemoglobin levels and food intake by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire after the 34th week of pregnancy. The control group consisted of 92 women in a cross-sectional study, at no less than 34 weeks of pregnancy. Hemoglobin was analyzed by a portable photometer and anemia was defined concentrations of less than 11 g/dL. All pregnant women had their weight and height measured. Hierarchical logistic regression model was developed for the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: prevalence of anemia at the end of the third trimester was 31.6% in the treatment group and 26.1% in the control group (p=0.43). Use of the prescribed supplement was reported by 65% of women in the treatment group, of which 67.7% interrupted the treatment at some point. Principal reasons for interrupting treatment were forgetting (43.2%) and nausea or vomiting (27.2%). Risk of anemia in the third trimester was three times higher in women with less than 8 years of schooling. CONCLUSIONS: use of ferrous sulfate was not shown to be associated with lower prevalence of anemia. The results suggest that structural changes in socioeconomic conditions are needed in order to alter the current situation regarding iron deficiency anemia.