Abstract
The present study aimed to clarify the current state of health guidance for pregnant women regarding seafood consumption. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1,688 nurses who consented to participate by mail. These nurses were involved in maternity care at 134 of 1,000 institutions that were randomly selected from the Welfare and Medical Service Network System.
Responses were received from 968 nurses (collection rate, 58.4%; valid response rate, 98.3%). A total of 131 (13.5%) nurses had received questions from pregnant women regarding seafood consumption in the past year. Qualitative analysis of free responses to these questions showed "pros and cons of seafood consumption", "types of seafood suitable for consumption", "amount of seafood suitable for consumption", "appropriate preparation of seafood for consumption", "effects of mercury on the fetus", "effects of mercury on the mother" and "general properties of mercury". Although nurses provided answers if questioned, proactive health guidance related to seafood consumption appeared to be lacking. Nurses need to emphasize the effects of mercury on the fetus and the safest policy for consuming seafood with high mercurial content. Additionally, they should highlight the beneficial effects of seafood on growth and development of the fetus. They should also promote safe and worry-free consumption of seafood.
