Lynda T Goodfellow
The Continuum of Research in Entry-Level Education and Post-Graduate Clinical Respiratory Care
Respiratory care
many parts asia pacific apac insufficient intake micronutrients important conception pregnancy remains prevalent issue among women reproductive age crucial gain insights womens nutritional awareness nutritionrelated behaviors well relate health literacy hl understanding help identify gaps guide development appropriate intervention strategies however appears limited relevant data available apac region therefore examined nutritional awareness behaviors among preconception pregnant women three apac countries explored related womens hl crosssectional online surveys conducted among preconception ie planning conceive within next 12 months currently trying conceive pregnant women australia n 624 china n 600 vietnam n 300 survey questionnaire included validated tool hl newest vital sign questions examine awareness behaviors relating healthy eating prenatal supplementation preconception pregnancy despite recommendations quality diet complemented appropriate supplementation preconception pregnancy many respondents country aware specific impact adequate nutrition stages many respondents reported changes diet eat healthily preconception pregnancy substantial proportion taking prenatal supplements higher hl related greater nutritional awareness higher use prenatal supplements findings suggest gaps nutritional awareness practices many preconception pregnant women three countries interventions improve hl would valuable complement conventional knowledgecentric nutrition education enhance understanding empower women adopt appropriate nutritional practices throughout preconceptionpregnancy journey