Objective:To study the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding periconceptional folic acid (FA) intake.Design:Questionnaire-based prospective study.Setting:Antenatal clinic of a District General Hospital.Subjects:Three-hundred pregnant women in an antenatal clinic.Results:Nearly all (298/300) had heard of FA. A majority (275/300, 91%) knew that FA could prevent neural tube defects, and married women (P <0.001), those with higher education (P <0.001), those of Social Classes 1–3 (P <0.01) and women over 30 years of age (P <0.05) were more likely to be thus aware. Knowledge about the correct timing of FA intake was seen in 76% and was more likely in those with higher education (P <0.001), married women (P <0.001) and women age over 30 years (P <0.05). Intake of FA in the periconceptional period was seen in 134/300 (44.6%) women and was most likely in the married, Social Classes 1–3, women with higher education (all P <0.001), non-smokers (P <0.01), women with a planned pregnancy and women aged 30 years and over (P <0.05).Conclusions:The knowledge of the correct timing of FA intake was present in only 76%. Less than half (44.6%) had taken FA in the periconceptional period, and this was far more common in the more ‘privileged’ classes. Low socio-economic status, age less than 30 years, lower educational status and unplanned pregnancy were high risk factors for not taking FA. The challenge to the medical profession for targeting this group cannot be over-emphasised.

Background: Some complications of childbirth (for example, faecal incontinence) are a source of social embarrassment for women, and are often under reported. Therefore, it was felt important to determine levels of complications (against established standards) and to consider obstetric measures aimed at reducing them.

Two parallel questionnaires were used to explore perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the relatives of terminally ill patients on the quality of care received by the patients. There was general agreement between the two groups of respondents in most of the assessed areas. The relatives, however were more satisfied with the control of pain and psychological symptoms than the HCWs, and the HCWs perceived the control of diarrhea, skin problems, and swallowing problems more positively than did the relatives. There also was some variation between the two groups in their perception of the care received by the relatives during visits at the hospital, with the relatives' group being more positive. Although HCWs reported that time to deal with patients and their families was inadequate, the relatives' group was generally satisfied with the standards in place.

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