Intake of iodine-containing multivitamin preparations by pregnant women from the Krakow region of Poland.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of women who take multivitamin formulations containing iodine. MATERIAL AND METHODS A 34-question questionnaire was given to 500 women during their puerperal stay in two obstetrics/gynaecology wards in Krakow. RESULTS 295 pregnant women (59%) took iodine-containing formulations. 205 pregnant women (41%) took multivitamin preparations without iodine. 49.7% of the women (91 out of 183) who inhabited rural areas and small towns were not supplemented with iodine during pregnancy. Women in Krakow took iodine-containing multivitamin formulations in 61.2% of cases. Women with primary and secondary education did not use iodine supplementation in 48.3% and 50.3% of cases respectively. Women with a university education did not use supplementation in 38.6% of cases. The prevalence of women using iodine-containing multivitamin preparation was similar in each age group. CONCLUSIONS The promotion of iodine supplementation to pregnant women should be augmented at each level of contact with medical staff. Medical staff should be reminded about such promotion at each level of medical care and training (general practitioner, obstetrics/gynaecology specialist, endocrinologist, postgraduate training).