How practice meets guidelines: Evaluation of nutrition counselling in Finnish well-women and well-baby clinics

Corresponding Author

Anu Huurre

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

Anu Huurre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Turku/Turku University Central Hospital, Kiinanmyllynkatu 4 – 8, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland. Tel: +358 2 313 0000. Fax: +358 2 313 1460. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Kirsi Laitinen,

Kirsi Laitinen

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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Ulla Hoppu,

Ulla Hoppu

Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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Erika Isolauri,

Erika Isolauri

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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Anu Huurre,

Corresponding Author

Anu Huurre

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

Kirsi Laitinen,

Kirsi Laitinen

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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Ulla Hoppu,

Ulla Hoppu

Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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Erika Isolauri,

Erika Isolauri

Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital and University of Turku. Turku. Finland

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First published: 30 March 2007

https://doi.org/10.1080/08035250600660925

Citations: 7

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Abstract

Aim: To assess the current practices of nutrition counselling given by nurses in well-women (WW) and well-baby (WB) clinics in Finland. Design: A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to nurses and their clients in clinics nationwide. Main outcome measures: The source and the quality of nutrition counselling and specific conditions including allergic diseases and vitamin D supplementation. Results: The clinics constituted the most important source of information for the clients. Personal counselling was highly appreciated. However, 83% of pregnant women reported having received dietary counselling, which deviates from the figure reported by nurses (99%, p=0.0003). Counselling concerning allergies was targeted to reduce the risk of infant allergy by means of elimination diets. In contrast to the report of the nurses (60% in WW and 18% in WB clinics), only 16% (p<0.0001) of the pregnant and 7% (p=0.022) of the breastfeeding women reported that they had been advised to use vitamin D supplements during the winter season.

Conclusion: This study calls for co-operation between scientists, governmental policy makers and healthcare professionals to ensure a continuous chain of information, applicable to nutrition counselling, from scientific data to everyday practice.

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November 2006

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