SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALobstetrics and gynecology, nutrition

cross-sectional·obstetrics and gynecology, nutrition, public health, epidemiology, clinical nutrition·PMC10553325

Calcium supplementation in pregnancy: An analysis of potential determinants in an under-resourced setting

PLOS ONE · 14 authors, 9 centres

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TL;DR

The study assessed calcium supplementation practices and their determinants.

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The study assessed calcium supplementation practices and their determinants. The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and calcium supplementation was not measured using an adherence scale; any self-reported use was classified as supplemented. The findings highlight important gaps between WHO recommendations and actual supplementation practices in this setting.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

obstetrics and gynecology

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10553325

Calcium supplementation in pregnancy: An analysis of potential determinants in an under-resourced setting

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Introduction Despite the evidence that calcium supplementation in pregnancy improves maternofoetal outcomes, many women still do not take calcium supplements during pregnancy in Cameroon. This study identifies factors that influence calcium supplementation during pregnancy in a low resource setting. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study (from November 2020 to September 2021) targeting 1074 healthy women in late pregnancy at the maternities of four major health facilities in the Nkongsamba Health District, Cameroon. Data were collected using an interview-administered semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using Epi Info version 7.2.4.0, and the statistical threshold for significance set at p-value = 0.05. Results The mean age of the participants was 28.20±6.08 years, with a range of 15–47 years. The proportion of women who reported taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy was 72.62 [69.85–75.22]%. Only 12% of calcium-supplemented women took calcium supplements throughout pregnancy, while a majority (50%) took calcium supplements just for 4–5 months. Women believe that taking calcium supplements is more for foetal growth and development (37.12%) and prevention of cramps (38.86%), than for the prevention of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy (2.84%). About all pregnant women (97.65%) took iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy, and 99.24% took these supplements at least once every two days. Upon control for multiple confounders, the onset of antenatal care before 4 months of pregnancy (AOR = 2.64 [1.84–3.78], p-value = 0.000), having had more than 3 antenatal care visits (AOR = 6.01 [3.84–9.34], p-value = 0.000) and support/reminder from a partner on the necessity to take supplements in pregnancy (AOR = 2.00 [1.34–2.99], p-value = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy. Conclusion Calcium supplementation practices in pregnancy remain poor in this population and far from WHO recommendations. Early initiation of antenatal care, a high number of antenatal visits and reminders or support from the partner on supplement intake significantly increase the odds of taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy. In line with WHO recommendations, women of childbearing age should be sensitised to initiate antenatal care earlier and attain as many visits as possible. Male involvement in prenatal care might also boost the likelihood of these women taking calcium supplements.

CITATION EXPORT

Atem Bethel Ajong, Bruno Kenfack, Innocent Mbulli Ali et al.. Calcium supplementation in pregnancy: An analysis of potential determinants in an under-resourced setting. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292303

AUTHORS

14 · 9 CENTRES

Atem Bethel Ajong, Bruno Kenfack, Innocent Mbulli Ali, Martin Ndinakie Yakum, Prince Onydinma Ukaogo, Fulbert Nkwele Mangala, Loai Aljerf, Phelix Bruno Telefo, Tesfaye Hambisa Mekonnen, Tesfaye Hambisa Mekonnen, Tesfaye Hambisa Mekonnen, Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu, Avanti Dey, Avanti Dey

1 Department of Mother and Child care, Kekem District Hospital, Kekem, West Region, Cameroon
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region, Cameroon
3 Department of Obstetrics / Gynaecology and Maternal Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region, Cameroon
4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Kesmonds International University, Bamenda, Cameroon
5 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
6 Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
7 Maternity unit, Nkongsamba Regional Hospital, Nkongsamba, Littoral Region, Cameroon
8 Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
Public Library of Science, UNITED STATES

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Avanti Dey