Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF USAGE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Shridhar M. N.*, Suraj Kumar Singh J. and Dr. Yogananda R.

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Abstract

Dietary supplements are products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other dietary substances intended to supplement the diet. Dietary supplements are not meant to replace a balanced diet but rather to provide additional nutrients that may be lacking in one’s diet, particularly for pregnant women. To assess the usage and documentation of dietary supplements during the period of pregnancy and analyze the dietary supplements used by pregnant women. A Prospective observational study was conducted for a period of 6 months at Basaveshwara Medical College Hospital in Chitradurga. The Data was collected through face-to-face interaction with pregnant women who attended the Hospital for Check-ups, in which 234 pregnant women provided the information through a self-designed Data collection form. The data were analyzed using the Descriptive method, result was generated through SPSS software and Microsoft Excel Sheet. Categorical data were presented in numbers and percentages. Documentation analyses were done irrespective of their Pregnancy period, Age, Diet, As per our study analyses the Highest numbers of prescribed supplements are Iron in the form of ferrous ascorbate (Elemental iron) and Folic acid which is (81.6%) followed by calcium in the form of (Vitamin-D3, Calcium carbonate) which is (76.5%), protein powder (78.2%), multivitamin syrup (26.9%), amino acid (5.1%). Categorical data were presented as numbers and percentages. The study shows Most commonly, and highly prescribed nutritional supplement was Iron and Calcium was second highest prescribed supplement followed by Protein Powder, Multi-vitamin, and Amino acid prescribed. Documentation of the Nutritional supplements prescribed for pregnant women in the hospital is done. Through this study, we conclude that Dietary supplements have a key role in the development, and prevention of certain deficiencies so Dietary Supplements need to be promoted among pregnant women.

Keywords: Dietary supplements, Pregnancy, Malnutrition, Co-morbidity.