Table 1.
Background characteristics of the study population
| Treatment group (n = 43) | Placebo group (n = 43) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 28.7 ± 5.8 | 28.6 ± 5.1 |
| Gravida | ||
| Primigravida | 14 (32.6%) | 17 (39.5%) |
| Multigravida | 29 (67.4%) | 26 (60.5%) |
| Parity | ||
| Nulliparous | 16 (37.2%) | 22 (51.2%) |
| Multiparous | 27 (62.8%) | 21 (48.8%) |
| Gestational age (weeks) | 28.4 ± 4.9 | 27.7 ± 6.0 |
| Income (USD) | ||
| Less than 400 | 13 (30.2%) | 7 (16.3%) |
| 400–1000 | 17 (39.6%) | 19 (44.2%) |
| more than 1000 | 13 (30.2%) | 17 (39.5%) |
| Education | ||
| Primary school | 3 (7.0%) | 6 (14%) |
| Secondary school | 20 (46.5%) | 22 (51.2%) |
| Bachelor degree or higher | 20 (46.5%) | 15 (34.9%) |
| Standing or walking | ||
| less than 2 h per day | 15 (34.9%) | 20 (46.5%) |
| 2–4 h per day | 17 (39.5%) | 9 (20.9%) |
| more than 4 h per day | 11 (25.6%) | 14 (32.6%) |
| Pre‐pregnancy BMI (kg m−2) | 21.8 ± 3.7 | 21.3 ± 3.9 |
| Drug supplements | ||
| Obimin AZ | 36 (83.7%) | 37 (86.0%) |
| FBC® (Ranbaxy Unichem, Bangkok, Thailand) | 2 (4.7%) | 2 (4.7%) |
| Ferrous sulphate | 5 (11.6%) | 4 (9.3%) |
| Calcium supplement | ||
| No | 39 (90.7%) | 37 (86.0%) |
| Yes | 4 (9.3%) | 6 (14.0%) |
| Systolic BP (mmHg) | 104.8 ± 10.6 | 108.1 ± 10.9 |
| Diastolic BP (mmHg) | 66.3 ± 6.8 | 67.6 ± 7.5 |
| Leg oedema | 3 (7.0%) | 3 (7.0%) |
| Varicose vein | 6 (14.0%) | 5 (11.6%) |
| Mean number of leg cramps per week | 5.4 ± 4.8 | 4.2 ± 2.6 |
| Mean pain score | 63.7 ± 24.5 | 68.5 ± 21.8 |
BMI, body mass index; BP, blood pressure. Data present as mean ± standard deviation or n (%).