Assessment of Turkish women's knowledge concerning folic acid and prevention of birth defects

Abstract

Objectives: In Turkey, the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) is 30.1 per 10 000 births. For this reason it seems an important problem for women of childbearing age. Adequate periconceptional consumption of folic acid could prevent NTDs. Most women are unaware of this recommendation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate women' knowledge and beliefs with regard to folic acid, and to estimate the consumption frequency of vitamin supplements periconceptionally and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Design: Eight hundred and eighteen married women who had delivered a live-born infant within the previous 12 months completed the questionnaire. Each subject participated in a 20-minute interview, with the questionnaire comprising multiplechoice statements. A random sample of 10 public health centres was drawn from 27 in three districts in Konya where about 50% of the population lives. Results: Only 22% of subjects had heard or read about folic acid. Thirteen per cent of women indicated knowledge of the direct link between folic acid supplementation and NTD prevention. The knowledge was greatest among 26-to 35-year-olds. Women with a university degree were more likely to have heard about folic acid than were less-educated women. Conclusion:The results indicate that further government efforts are needed to inform the population and promote the optimal use of folic acid supplements and folateenriched foods. It is the responsibility of national authorities to increase health education concerning folic acid and the prevention of NTDs in their countries.

Dietary Intake of Natural Sources of Docosahexaenoic Acid and Folate in Pregnant Women of Three European Cohorts

“…Folic acid fortification of foods is an alternative option to cover the needs of women who get pregnant [41][42][43] . Nationwide fortification programs of staple foods such as flour are well established in many countries around the world [7,41,44,45] , primarily because folic acid supplementation during the first weeks of pregnancy decreases the incidence of neural tube defects.…”

An exceptionally low percentage of Thai expectant mothers and medical personnel with folic acid knowledge and peri-conceptional consumption urges an urgent education program and/or food fortification

“…However, this expectant mother did not have the accurate knowledge as she reported that vitamin C, vitamin A and calcium also helped prevent some congenital anomalies. These percentages of FA knowledge and use are among the lowest in reported studies around the world (Perlow 2001;Abdulrazzaq et al 2003;Unusan 2004;Bener et al 2006).…”

Folic acid usage and awareness in pregnant women in Istanbul, Turkey

“…The reported use of folic acid among reproductive-age women in these and other countries was also higher, ranging from 20.3% in Qatar, to 68% in Spain [21][22][23][24][25][26] . Turkey reported a lower rate of awareness (22%) among women who were delivered of live-born infants during the preceding 12 months [27] . This study could serve as a good indicator for the improvements in Turkish health organizations.…”