Preconceptional and prenatal multivitamin-mineral supplement use in the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health

S M Yu1, K G Keppel, G K Singh

  • 1Division of Science, Education and Analysis, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD 20857, USA.

This paper examines the prevalence of multivitamin-mineral supplement use before and during pregnancy, as well as predictors of nonuse, in 9953 women who delivered live infants in the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey. Ninety-seven percent of the women were advised to take multivitamin-mineral supplements in prenatal care. Sixty-seven percent of Black mothers took supplements during pregnancy, as compared with 84% of White mothers. Multivariate analysis revealed that Black mothers; mothers who are less educated, younger, unmarried, and non-smokers; and mothers who participate in Women, Infants, and Children programs are at elevated risk for nonuse. These data help identify groups in need of supplementation guidance.

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