Assessment of awareness and utilization practices of prenatal supplements use among pregnant women: a pilot study from North Macedonia

Prenatal supplements are essential component of maternal healthcare during pregnancy, since they help meet the increased nutritional demands of pregnant women, as well as support optimal fetal growth and development. However, their appropriate use depends on the level of awareness and the availability of relevant information. The aim of this study was to provide assessment of the practices of utilization and level of awareness regarding prenatal supplements among pregnant women. A cross-sectional, small-scale study was performed in a specialized gynecology clinic using a structured questionnaire, resulting in 96 surveys. The data were collected and analyzed using Jamovi software. The results demonstrated a high level of prenatal supplement
use, in 93.75% of the cases. In addition, the most used supplement was folic acid, with 78 cases.
The pregnant women presented moderate self-perceived level of awareness about the use of prenatal supplements and positive experiences regarding their uses, as well as respect to the recommended dosage. The statistical analysis did not identify a significant association between
the use of prenatal supplements and participants’ age, place of residence, or trimester of pregnancy, and no significant association was found in respondents’ education and the use of prenatal supplements. Doctors were most consulted for advice on prenatal supplements use (82.1%). The
majority of respondents also expressed the need for additional education on prenatal supplements use, that asks for institutional efforts to ensure the provision of more accurate and accessible information regarding the use of prenatal supplements.