engleski

Food supplements in nurses’ diet during COVID-19 pandemic

The study aims at investigating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of nurses’ food supplementation.The study was carried out in the winter of 2020-2021 in the City of Zagreb and comprised a total of 148 nurses affiliated with the PHCC “Centar”. Data were collected via a questionnaire adapted to the purpose. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of PHCC. Differences between the group which changed its food supplementation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the group that did not were tested using the χ2 test. The results reveal the consumption of some food supplements to be habitual to nurses. COVID-19 pandemic urged over a third of them to start taking food supplements, or to increase the amount and frequency of their use (38.5%). As for vitamins, during the pandemic nurses increased D vitamin intake (P<0.001). Significant differences in the consumption of minerals & proteins seen between the group that changed its food supplementation habits and the one that did not, arose primarily due to the changes in magnesium (P=0.020) and zinc intake (P=0.030). On top of that, a significant rise in beta glucan (P=0.015), and homeopathic preparations’(P=0.010) intake was documented. COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts food supplementation in nurses. Based on the dietary recommendations, during the pandemic the focus should be shifted to healthy diet principles. In case of an increased risk of COVID- 19 disease or nutrient deficiency, food supplements should be introduced, too.

COVID-19 pandemic ; Food supplements ; Nurses

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