Evaluating pregnant womens selenium intake through dietary assessment in Accra, Ghana: A feasibility study

ObjectiveDietary selenium (Se) deficiency is associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to determine the feasibility of: (1) assessing dietary Se consumption via administration of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana and (2) quantifying total Se intake. MethodsIn this prospective observational cohort study, participants were recruited via purposive sampling and face-to-face data collection was undertaken using structured FFQs. English-speaking pregnant women who were [≥] 18 years old were eligible to participate. Questions of feasibility were assessed and the average total Se intake in the population was analyzed. ResultsOne hundred study participants met the inclusion criteria out of 117 eligible. It was feasible to administer the surveys in the clinic waiting room. The average total Se intake in this population of pregnant women was 90.4 g/day {+/-}50.0 g, which is higher than the National Institute of Health recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 60g/day for pregnant women. ConclusionFFQ assessment of Se consumption and resource evaluation were deemed feasible in the KBTH setting. Participants reported an average Se intake above the RDA. Future studies can examine the influence of Se intake on pregnancy outcomes.