ArticlePloS one2023
Calcium supplementation in pregnancy: An analysis of potential determinants in an under-resourced setting.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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12 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Integrating Social and Clinical Determinants of Pre-Eclampsia: A Hierarchical Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework for Prevention.BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology · 2026Pooled it
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: a review of antenatal interventions to improve maternal outcomes.Frontiers in global women's health · 2026Pooled it
- Calcium Supplementation in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Pooled it
- Immersive Virtual Reality eHealth Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR human factors · 2025Trial
- Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth App in Improving Micronutrient Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan: Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Trial
- Monitoring of Pregnant Women Using the "Risk Identification, Evaluation Counseling, Systematic Monitoring, Troubleshooting" (REST) Mobile App: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- The Impact of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women Toward the Intelligence Status of Early Childhood: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Low-dose calcium supplementation during pregnancy in low and middle-income countries: A cost-effectiveness analysis.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Neurodegenerative Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes by Derivation and Validation in 2 Independent Korean Cohorts: Model Development and Validation Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Article
- Article
- Review
- Trends in Calcium Intake among the US Population: Results from the NHANES (1999-2018).Nutrients · 2024Article
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8 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDespite the evidence that calcium supplementation in pregnancy improves maternofoetal outcomes, many women still do not take calcium supplements during pregnancy in Cameroon. This study identifies factors that influence calcium supplementation during pregnancy in a low resource setting.
methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study (from November 2020 to September 2021) targeting 1074 healthy women in late pregnancy at the maternities of four major health facilities in the Nkongsamba Health District, Cameroon. Data were collected using an interview-administered semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using Epi Info version 7.2.4.0, and the statistical threshold for significance set at p-value = 0.05.
resultsThe mean age of the participants was 28.20±6.08 years, with a range of 15-47 years. The proportion of women who reported taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy was 72.62 [69.85-75.22]%. Only 12% of calcium-supplemented women took calcium supplements throughout pregnancy, while a majority (50%) took calcium supplements just for 4-5 months. Women believe that taking calcium supplements is more for foetal growth and development (37.12%) and prevention of cramps (38.86%), than for the prevention of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy (2.84%). About all pregnant women (97.65%) took iron and folic acid supplements during pregnancy, and 99.24% took these supplements at least once every two days. Upon control for multiple confounders, the onset of antenatal care before 4 months of pregnancy (AOR = 2.64 [1.84-3.78], p-value = 0.000), having had more than 3 antenatal care visits (AOR = 6.01 [3.84-9.34], p-value = 0.000) and support/reminder from a partner on the necessity to take supplements in pregnancy (AOR = 2.00 [1.34-2.99], p-value = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy.
conclusionCalcium supplementation practices in pregnancy remain poor in this population and far from WHO recommendations. Early initiation of antenatal care, a high number of antenatal visits and reminders or support from the partner on supplement intake significantly increase the odds of taking any calcium supplements in pregnancy. In line with WHO recommendations, women of childbearing age should be sensitised to initiate antenatal care earlier and attain as many visits as possible. Male involvement in prenatal care might also boost the likelihood of these women taking calcium supplements.
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