Preconceptional use of folic acid and knowledge about folic acid among low-income pregnant women in Korea

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESFolic acid supplementation before pregnancy is known to significantly reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects (NTDs). Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of the effects of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and preconceptional use of folic acid and to assess the current knowledge about folic acid among low-income pregnant women in Korea.SUBJECTS/METHODSA questionnaire survey was conducted in 2012. Five hundred pregnant women were selected from the waiting list for the Nutriplus program implemented in public health centers using a multistage clustered probability sampling design. Data from 439 women were analyzed after excluding ones with incomplete answers.RESULTSAmong women who responded to the questionnaire, 65.6% had heard of folic acid before pregnancy, and 26.4% reported on the preconceptional use of folic acid. Women with a university degree or higher education were more likely to be aware of folic acid and to take folic acid in the preconception period. In a multivariate logistic regression, when age, education level, household income, employment status, gravidity, parity, and folic acid awareness were included in the model, folic acid awareness was a strong predictor of preconceptional folic acid use. As of interview, 85.4% and 77.7% of women were aware of the NTD-preventive role of folic acid and the appropriate time to take folic acid, respectively. The main sources of information on folic acid were healthcare professionals (41.2%), friends and family members (31.2%), and the media (26.5%).CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that public health strategies are needed to increase the preconceptional use of folic acid among Korean women.

Correlates of knowledge on birth defects and associated factors among antenatal mothers in Galle, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional analytical study

“…Nilsen and collegues also found a better preconceptional FA intake associated with higher maternal age, higher education, and lower parity which is consistent with our study [16]. Several other studies also found that preconceptional FA intake is higher among mothers with higher education [17, 19–21]. Therefore, Sri Lanka should pay further attention on education of the adolescent girls in the country.…”

“…It is satisfactory compared to a study done in Kandy, Sri Lanka where preconceptional FA consumption among two groups; mothers with and without children with neural tube defects (NTD) was 0% and 13% respectively [14]. Many researchers have found a low preconceptional FA intake among mothers in many communities [15–17]. Some studies stressed on the low preconceptional FA intake even though many participants have heard about FA [15, 17–19].…”

“…Many researchers have found a low preconceptional FA intake among mothers in many communities [15–17]. Some studies stressed on the low preconceptional FA intake even though many participants have heard about FA [15, 17–19]. A study done in Taiwan, found that preconceptional FA intake was only 15.6%, though nearly 90% of the sample of women was aware of folic acid [18].…”

Awareness, knowledge, and use of folic acid among non-pregnant Korean women of childbearing age

“…It is likely that many Korean women became aware of folic acid after marriage or pregnancy. In a previous study, the majority (97.9%) of pregnant Korean women were reported to have heard of folic acid, 72% had knowledge of folic acid, and 24.6% had experience taking folic acid supplements starting at least 1 month before conception [ 18 ]. These proportions were much higher than those of the non-pregnant women in this study.…”

“…Factors influencing folic acid supplementation during pregnancy among Korean women include planned pregnancy, experience of previous spontaneous abortions, and knowledge of the importance of folic acid [ 17 18 ]. However, there has been no published information on the factors associated with folic acid supplement use among non-pregnant Korean women of childbearing age.…”