Status of Prenatal Nutrition Knowledge and Fertility Awareness in Women Seeking Treatment in a Tertiary Care Fertility Centre at Index Visit- An Opportunity for Education and Intervention

Aims: Aim of the study is to evaluate prenatal nutrition knowledge and fertility awareness among women referred to tertiary care fertility centre.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study design was employed for carrying out study.

Place and Duration of Study: Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Fertility Centre, Secunderabad was selected for carrying out study between December 2023 to April 2024.

Methodology: A total of 100 women who were previously taking fertility treatment with gynaecologists and other fertility centres in the community and have transitioned to tertiary care at KIMS fertility centre were selected. A standardized questionnaire including demographics, menstrual history, fertility history, understanding of prenatal nutrition, and fertility awareness was used to gather data.

Results: Couples seeking fertility treatment for some time can expect the conception at any given time. We wanted to evaluate their readiness in terms of prenatal nutrition and also awareness regarding fertility facts. The majority of participants (48%) were found to be between the ages of 31 and 40, and 97% of them lived in Hyderabad. Most of them had jobs (51%) and were well educated (79%). Although 79% of respondents agreed that diet plays a part in fertility, only 7% had received dietary guidance. Only 34% of participants knew the importance of including all the food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and dairy products, and animal products in their prenatal diet. The nutrition knowledge levels were found to be sub optimal as only 25% of subjects were aware of the suggested recommendations of protein, and only 49% of people knew importance of including foods high in omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. About 29% of women were aware of importance of taking preconception specific multivitamins to meet needs of micronutrients during this period, although there is fair knowledge about certain recommendations about green leafy vegetables, dairy intake, whole grain carbohydrates, and importance of incorporating iodized salt. Only 17% of respondents correctly identified the major drop in fertility between the ages of 33 and 40, and 98% of participants were unaware that being older than 35 is the biggest risk factor for subfertility. However, a relatively high 90% of people were aware of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. All participants were aware of some or other methods for tracking ovulation and menstrual cycles.

Conclusion: This study reveals that there are knowledge gaps in both nutrition and fertility awareness in women who presented for further advanced fertility treatment at tertiary centre. It is important to reduce these gaps through enabling nutritionist’s consultation, detailed dietary counselling and focused educational programs for improved fertility and health outcomes which can optimise the pregnancy outcomes and also minimise health risks for mother.