What factors influences dietary and non-dietary vitamin D intake among pregnant women in an African population?

OBJECTIVE

Data on dietary vitamin D (vitD) intake, sunlight exposure, and the associated determinants are lacking in Africa. The aim of this study was to establish the factors influencing vitD intake and sunlight exposure among pregnant women in an African population with the goal of improving maternal vitD nutrition.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 703 mother-infant pairs accessing postnatal care at the five main health facilities in Cape Coast, Ghana in 2016. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and sunlight exposure practices during pregnancy were collected using a structured questionnaire. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate vitD intake during pregnancy.

RESULTS

VitD nutrition awareness during pregnancy was low in the study area. Education, occupation, ethnicity, and marital status influenced vitD intake in this population. In a multivariable linear regression adjusting for potential confounders, lack of information on essential nutrients needed in pregnancy, and infrequent consumption of recommended foods resulted in 10.51 µg (95% confidence interval [CI], -19.59 to -1.42) and 26.18 µg (95% CI, -47.18 to -5.17) reduction in vitD intake, respectively. Lack of information on the importance of vitD in pregnancy, and on their dietary and non-dietary sources resulted in 11.76 µg (95% CI, -21.53 to -2.00) and 26.34 µg (95% CI, -52.47 to -0.21) reduction in vitD intake, respectively. Employment status of mothers was associated with statistically significant higher sunlight exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings call for rolling out literacy and nutrition education programs targeted at women in sub-Saharan African countries to help improve maternal nutrition.