Browsing by Author "Dai, Yuan"

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    Iron-containing supplement use from preconception to six weeks postpartum : a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional survey among postpartum women in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Dai, Yuan
    Background: The increased iron intake requirement during pregnancy makes it a more vulnerable time for women to become iron deficient, and oral iron supplement (FeS) is often needed to prevent iron deficiency (ID) and treat ID or iron deficiency anaemia. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health does not routinely recommend taking oral iron-containing supplements during pregnancy and lactation unless clinically indicated. Limited studies have examined iron containing supplements use in New Zealand. This study aimed to investigate oral iron containing supplements usage before, during, and after pregnancy among a cohort of postpartum women in New Zealand. Methods: This secondary data analysis used data from an anonymous online questionnaire completed by women within six months postpartum, recruited between February and mid-August 2022. This study examined data from demographic and maternal information, and oral FeS and multivitamin supplement (MMNS) use. The formulation and number of women using the different brands of oral FeS and iron-containing MMNS were reported. The average daily elemental iron intake was calculated and categorised into five dose levels: low dose (200 mg/day). Descriptive statistics were reported, including frequencies, percentages, and median (25th, 75th). Results: Of the 863 women who completed the questionnaire, 600 were included in this analysis. Forty-seven oral iron-containing supplements, including 17 types of oral FeS and 30 types of iron-containing MMNS, were reported taken, with an elemental iron dosage between 5-105 mg per tablet/capsule. Six types of iron-containing MMNS were general MMNS, potentially unsuitable for preconception, pregnant and postpartum women to use. Seventy-five percent of women (n=600) took oral FeS, 43.8% (n=569) used iron-containing MMNS at some stage of preconception, during pregnancy and postpartum, with 30.1% using both and 12% using neither. More women used oral iron-containing supplements with higher dosages during pregnancy than postpartum and preconception. The median (25th, 75th) daily dosage was 21.4 (4.6, 60.4) mg in preconception, 39.5 (7.0, 60.4) mg in the first trimester, 60.4 (18.6, 60.4) mg in the second trimester, 60.4 (29.8, 65) mg in the third trimester, and 20.9 (6.3, 60.4) mg in postpartum. Around half of women during pregnancy (42.9% in the first, 48.5% in the second and 50.5% in the third trimester), 34% in postpartum, and 38% in preconception used preventative dosage. The treatment dosage was mainly taken in the second (10.1%) and the third trimester (12.4%), and less than 1% reported high dosage intake (>200 mg). Almost all (90%) oral FeS used were prescribed, while all MMNS were self-purchased, predominately (82%) based on women’s general knowledge either alone (49.5%) or in combination with other reasons such as information from the internet, books or newspapers; or it was recommended by family or friends or a nutritionist (32.5%).Conclusion: Oral iron-containing supplements were frequently used around pregnancy. Women took a wide range/array of brands of oral iron-containing supplements, which varied markedly in the amount of elemental iron they contained. The number of women who used oral iron-containing supplements and their dosage align with the increased iron requirement during pregnancy and decreased needs for postpartum. The Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) played an important role in influencing the decision to use and purchase oral FeS. However, most women who took an iron-containing MMNS did so independently of their LMC. This may have resulted in them selecting a supplement containing a level of elemental iron unsuitable for their requirements. Given that an increasing number of women are choosing to take an MMNS, more research is needed to explore what factors women consider when purchasing a supplement and if it even includes elemental iron content so that they can be better informed when it comes to selecting one that will help meet their iron needs and allow them to achieve optimal iron levels around pregnancy.