Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a virtual antenatal intervention for improved diet and iron intake in Kapilvastu district, Nepal: VALID.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite evidence that iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements can improve anaemia in pregnant women, uptake in Nepal is suboptimal. We hypothesised that providing virtual counselling twice in mid-pregnancy, would increase compliance to IFA tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with antenatal care (ANC alone.

Methods and analysis

This non-blinded individually randomised controlled trial in the plains of Nepal has two study arms: (1) control: routine ANC; and (2) 'Virtual' antenatal counselling plus routine ANC. Pregnant women are eligible to enrol if they are married, aged 13-49 years, able to respond to questions, 12-28 weeks' gestation, and plan to reside in Nepal for the next 5 weeks. The intervention comprises two virtual counselling sessions facilitate

SUBMITTER: Saville NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9936277 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature