TABLE 2.
Practice and views about lifestyle variables and health behaviors (n = 65).
| Variable | GWG | PA | Nutrition |
| Advice ≥ once throughout gestation [n (%)] | 61 (93.8) | 65 (100) | 60 (92.3) |
| Frequency of counseling [Mean (SD)] | 2.2 (1.4) | 2.7 (1.8) | 2.7 (2.0) |
| 1–3 talks | 35 (53.8) | 48 (80.0) | 42 (64.6) |
| 4–6 talks | 9 (13.8) | 9 (15.0) | 6 (9.2) |
| ≥7 talks | 0 (0) | 3 (5.0) | 5 (7.7) |
| Counseling was given at. *[n (%)] | |||
| First visit | 48 (73.8) | 62 (95.4) | 53 (81.5) |
| 1st trimester | 14 (21.5) | 21 (32.3) | 15 (23.1) |
| 2nd trimester | 18 (27.7) | 27 (41.5) | 17 (26.2) |
| 3rd trimester | 14 (21.5) | 15 (23.1) | 13 (20.0) |
| Postpartum | 2 (3.1) | 24 (36.9) | 11 (16.9) |
| At all occasions | 18 (27.7) | 17 (26.2) | 21 (32.3) |
| Basis/source for the advice* [n (%)] | |||
| Health authorities | 59 (90.8) | 63 (96.9) | 63 (96.9) |
| Research/scientific evidence | 23 (35.4) | 37 (56.9) | 29 (44.6) |
| Supplementary education/conferences | 7 (10.8) | 6 (9.2) | 13 (20.0) |
| Own experiences | 2 (3.1) | 21 (32.3) | 8 (12.3) |
| Handing out information pamphlets | 26 (40.0) | 40 (61.5) | 49 (75.4) |
| Self-perceived role in lifestyle counseling ** [Mean (SD)] | |||
| “. to give advice is an important part of prenatal care” | 8.3 (2.2) | 9.6 (0.9) | 9.9 (0.4) |
| “. it is uncomfortable to talk about” | 3.0 (2.8) | 1.1 (2.5) | 1.2 (2.5) |
| “. GWG/PA/nutrition is important for a healthy pregnancy” | 7.1 (3.0) | 9.9 (0.4) | 9.8 (0.6) |
*Selection of more than one response was allowed, and the participants were instructed to tick one or more alternatives that best matched their practice, **Responses indicated level of agreement with each statement on a scale from 0 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree).