我們研究1076名多數為中後孕期的懷孕婦女,其膳食補充劑的使用及其特性。研究對象完成一個自填式問卷,包括社會人口學特性、補充劑使用及飲食態度的調查。整體的補充劑使用盛行率在懷孕前後並未改變(75%);然而,懷孕後每日使用者增加近兩倍(20.2%提高至37.2%)。在剛懷孕後,含葉酸補充劑的使用是為了胎兒健康。每日使用者多數年紀較大、對神經管缺陷(NTD)的風險認知較高、認為補充劑使用是可接受的、較少飲食焦慮並且接觸較多提供飲食意見者。受調查者使用單獨含葉酸或是混合其他成分的補充劑。葉酸攝取被認為可降低NTD危險性。然而,意識到懷孕後才開始使用補充劑,顯示缺乏對適當時機使用葉酸補充劑的認知。補充劑的資訊獲得大部分來自報紙、雜誌、傳單及商店。這些結果顯示更多關於葉酸攝取的理想時機及膳食補充劑的安全正確資訊需要被傳播。
We investigated the characteristics of dietary supplements and their use by 1,076 Japanese pregnant women, the majority of whom were in mid-to late pregnancy. The subjects completed a self-reported survey on their sociodemographic characteristics, supplement use, and attitudes towards diet. The overall prevalence of supplement use did not change before and after pregnancy (75%); however, daily use increased by approximately twofold with pregnancy (20.2% versus 37.2%). After the onset of pregnancy, supplements containing folic acid were taken for fetal health. Daily users were more likely to be older, have a greater awareness of the risk of neural tube defects (NTD), view supplement use as acceptable, have less diet anxiety, and have more advisers regarding diet. Respondents used supplements containing folic acid alone or with other ingredients. Folic acid intake is recommended to reduce the risk of NTD. However, supplement use began after pregnancy recognition, suggesting a lack of knowledge on the appropriate timing of folic acid use. Information about supplements was obtained mostly from newspapers, magazines, flyers, and stores. These results indicate that more accurate information regarding the optimal timing of folic acid intake and the safety of dietary supplements must be disseminated.