Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy in relation to reported information sources: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy is recommended in certain settings and may be relevant for maternal and fetal health, yet uptake varies widely. While educational attainment is commonly considered a determinant of health behavior, the relationship between reported information sources and supplementation practices during pregnancy remains insufficiently understood. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among pregnant women attending a university hospital in Germany between June 2024 and January 2025. Data were collected on current omega-3 supplementation, preconception omega-3 use, educational attainment, parity, and reported sources of information about dietary supplements. Source-specific associations with current and preconception omega-3 use were examined exploratorily using 2 × 2 contingency tables. Conditional maximum-likelihood odds ratios (ORs) with central exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and corresponding two-sided central exact P values were calculated. Results A total of 127 completed questionnaires were included. Overall, 75.6% of participants reported current omega-3 supplementation, while 34.6% reported preconception omega-3 use. The internet was the most frequently reported source of information about dietary supplements (73.2%), followed by gynecologists (56.7%) and books (37.0%). Participants reporting midwives as an information source had higher estimated odds of current omega-3 supplementation (OR 6.84, 95% CI 1.56–62.84). Participants reporting digital/media sources had higher estimated odds of preconception omega-3 use (OR 6.59, 95% CI 1.47–61.13). Both estimates were imprecise, with wide confidence intervals. No clear association between educational attainment and omega-3 supplementation was observed in this highly educated sample. Conclusions In this selective sample, exploratory analyses identified patterns of co-occurrence between reported sources of information about dietary supplements and omega-3 supplementation behavior. The findings do not establish that specific information sources provided omega-3-specific advice, influenced supplementation behavior, or preceded omega-3 use. Larger prospective studies are needed to examine these relationships and the content and timing of information exposure.