scholarly journals Folic acid awareness and intake among women in areas with high prevalence of neural tube defects in China: a cross-sectional study

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1142-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqian Zeng ◽  
Ping Yuan ◽  
Yanping Wang ◽  
Xi Ma ◽  
Jun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveTo measure folic acid awareness and intake rates among women of childbearing age in certain areas of China with a high prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD).DesignA cross-sectional survey was carried out utilising a nineteen-item questionnaire enquiring into individual women's knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of folic acid supplementation.SettingA total of 293 low-income counties in six provinces of China.SubjectsWomen aged 19–44 years from six provinces with a high prevalence of NTD recruited from June to August 2008.ResultsAmong 33 025 participants, 57 % had heard of folic acid but only 15 % knew all of the core information. The intake rate was 12 %; only 8 % took the recommended dose and only 4 % of non-pregnant women took folic acid. Some women did not take folic acid because they did not know that they should take it (49 %) or they had misconceptions about it (24 %). According to logistic regression analysis, rural residence was a risk factor for folic acid awareness. Ethnicity, educational level, average annual income per person and pregnancy were the influencing factors of folic acid awareness and folic acid intake.ConclusionsAlthough more than half of the respondents had heard of folic acid, the intake rate was still very low in areas with a high prevalence of NTD. Thus, more efforts are needed to increase folic acid awareness and intake among women of reproductive age in these areas.

scholarly journals Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Folic Acid Intake among Women in the Reproductive Age in ARAR Region, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 287-297
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Mazki Alanazi ◽  
Abdullah Juayf Alanazi ◽  
Yasir Wadi Alanazi ◽  
Muhammad Sari Alanazi ◽  
Ghada Rezk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Acid Supplementation

Background: Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. As approximately 50% of pregnancies are unintended, women of reproductive age should be aware of the importance of folic acid. This study aims to assess the level of awareness and knowledge among childbearing female on the importance of preconception folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in Arar city. Methodology: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arar city, Norther Saudi Arabia on included Saudi women in reproductive age. A pre-designed online questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed using statistical package for Social Sciences Program, version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The results were displayed as counts, percentages. Appropriate statistical tests will be used for comparisons. P ≤ 0.05 is considered significant. Results: The sample consisted of 428 women in reproductive age, 60.1% aged between 30 to 40 years, 39% aged between 20 to 30 years and only 0.9% aged between 18 to 20 years old. 91.8% were married. 85% of participants reported that their doctor prescribed folic pills for them before. 95.1% think that women should take folic acid pills in pregnancy while 75.2% think that it is necessary to take folic pills pre-pregnancy. 85.3% had taken folic acid pills in previous pregnancy. 31.3% think that it should be stopped after pregnancy. 84.6% think that folate deficiency causes fetal abnormalities. Only 8.4% of studied women reported attending seminar or lecture on folic acid importance. Conclusion: The results of the current study affirmed good knowledge of folic acid supplementation usage during pregnancy among women in Arar, KSA. There was a significant association between knowledge of folic acid taking importance during pregnancy with marital status, number of children, and educational level of participants.

Folic Acid for the Prevention of Fetal Neural Tube Defects

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aremu Olayinka Olaitan ◽  
Oladejo Oluwatobiloba Rukayat ◽  
Olowokere Adekemi Eunice ◽  
Olajubu Aanuoluwapo Omobolanle
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
P Value ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

The use of folic acid supplements before and during the first three months of pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). This study assessed knowledge and factors that influence the use of folic acid, the actual use of folic acid and its relationship with socio-demographic factors among women of childbearing age in the Ife Central Local Government, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted to select 400 women of childbearing age who participated in the study using a self-structured questionnaire. Results from this study showed that 39.8 per cent of the study participants had good knowledge about the benefits of folic acid, 64.6 per cent of the participants reported to have used folic acid at one time in their lives, while 55.5 per cent of them reported not to have taken folic acid before their pregnancy. This study also revealed a significant association between the respondents’ socio-demographic factors and the use of folic acid with a p-value of .000 (p-value < 0.05). The study concluded that knowledge about the use of folic acid for the prevention of NTDs among women of childbearing age is not adequate and that very few of them used folic acid at the appropriate time.

scholarly journals Comparison of blood folate levels among pregnant Chinese women in areas with high and low prevalence of neural tube defects

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 762-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiguo Ren ◽  
Le Zhang ◽  
Ling Hao ◽  
Zhiwen Li ◽  
Yihua Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Urban Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Plasma Folate ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Low Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveTo characterise plasma and red-blood-cell (RBC) folate status among pregnant women in an area with an extremely high prevalence of neural tube defects, and to compare them with those of women from a low prevalence area.DesignA cross-sectional survey conducted in 2003.SettingOne county and one city from each of the high prevalence area and the low prevalence area in China.SubjectsFive hundred and sixty-two women in their first trimester of pregnancy in the high prevalence area and 695 pregnant women in the low prevalence area.ResultsWomen in the high prevalence area had less than half the plasma and RBC folate concentrations (12.2 and 440.0 nmol l− 1, respectively) of women in the low prevalence area (33.5 and 910.4 nmol l− 1, respectively). In the high prevalence area, 40% of rural women were deficient in RBC folate and 50% were deficient in plasma folate; 20% of urban women were deficient in RBC folate and 30% deficient in plasma folate. In contrast, only 4% (RBC folate) and 6% (plasma folate) of rural women, and 2% (RBC folate) and 1% (plasma folate) of urban women, were folate-deficient in the low prevalence area. Less than 10% of rural and about 26% of urban women in the high prevalence area took folic acid periconceptionally, compared with 70% and 60% of women in the low prevalence area.ConclusionsBlood folate deficiency is highly prevalent among pregnant women in an area of China with a very high prevalence of neural tube defects.

scholarly journals Knowledge and consumption of folic acid among teachers in Jammu region: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 5288
Author(s):  
Neha Choudhary ◽  
Preeti Manhas ◽  
Akash Narangyal ◽  
Rohan Singh Manhas
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects (NTDs). It reduces the risk of miscarriage and fetal death as well as folate-deficiency anemia. Folate status is particularly important before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Objective was to assess knowledge and consumption of folic acid among teachers in the reproductive age group.Methods: 336 school teachers selected from government and private schools (primary/middle/secondary/higher secondary) by simple random sampling technique. Teacher’s knowledge and consumption of folic acid and associated factors was studied using a pre- tested; self- administered questionnaire.Results: 95% teachers had heard about folic acid, 57% knew about neural tube defects. 53% were aware of the role of folic acid in NTDs. 66% had knowledge about the best timing for its intake. 56% were aware about the sources rich in folic acid. 75% believed that foods are the best source of folic acid, 80% believed that taking foods rich in folic acid and tablets are sufficient to maintain body stores.49% were taking folic acid presently. 66% of the participants were taking folic acid under medical advice, 29% due to the recommendations by their family/friends while self-initiation was reported in only 5% of the individuals.Conclusions: IEC activities needs to be conducted among different strata of population so that the intake of folic acid could be increased and associated factors effecting its intake and absorption could be taken care of.

Knowledge and Use of Folic Acid: In Women of Reproductive Age

2011 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly R.S. Fehr ◽  
Kelsey D.H. Fehr ◽  
Jennifer Lisa Penner Protudjer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age

Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. As approximately 50% of pregnancies are unintended, women of reproductive age should be aware of the importance of folic acid. We reviewed the existing literature on these women’s knowledge of folic acid and neural tube defects. Databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, and Health Reference Center Academic. We used terms such as “folic acid knowledge” and “folic acid awareness” to search articles published from 1998 to 2010. Awareness of the benefits of folic acid before conception and during pregnancy was low, although knowledge levels were associated with education and household income. Women who were already knowledgeable about folic acid cited health care professionals, magazines and newspapers, and radio and television as common sources of information. Effective knowledge translation is needed to ensure that women are informed about the benefits of folic acid during the reproductive years. This knowledge will allow them to make informed decisions about folic acid consumption. Health care professionals play an influential role in promoting folic acid knowledge among women of childbearing age. Lower levels of knowledge among women with lower levels of education and/or household income must be addressed.

scholarly journals Incidence and risk factors for neural tube defects in a Bosnian population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmedina Mrkulić ◽  
Emina Vukas ◽  
Hajrija Maksić ◽  
Meliha Sakić ◽  
Jasmina Mahmutović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Neural Tube Closure ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Live Births

Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are multifactorial congenital anomalies of the central nervous system that results from failed neural tube closure between the 3rd and 4th weeks of embryonic development. Numerous clinical and experimental studies indicate that supplementation with folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the development of these anomalies. The present study examined the incidence and risk factors for NTDs and evaluated the effects of folic acid supplementation.Methods: This cross-sectional study included all children with NTDs who were hospitalized at the Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo during the period from January 01, 2008 to December 31, 2012. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical histories of hospitalized children. The study included children in pediatric clinics from four cantons (Sarajevo, Zenica–Doboj, Unsko–Sanski, and Central Bosnia) of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The number of live births for the specified period in each of the four cantons was taken from a report by the Cantonal Ministry of Health.Results: Among the 69,096 live births recorded during the study period, 39 children had verified NTDs, with an overall incidence of 0.56:1,000 (or 5.6:10,000) in all four cantons. The most common NTDs were myelomeningocele with hydrocephalus (22/39, 56.4%), followed by isolated myelomeningocele (9/39, 23.1%), spina bifida occulta (7/39, 17.9%), and occipitocele (1/39, 2.6%). A total of 33.3% (13/39) of mothers took folic acid, but only one began supplementation prior to pregnancy, while 67.7% (26/39) of mothers did not take folic acid during pregnancy. NTDs were found more frequently in primiparas (53.8%), women with low education (basic school, 64.1%), and unemployed women (82.1%).Conclusion: It is important to make national recommendations for folic acid supplementation for women of reproductive age, but also change the public health policy that includes mandatory fortification of basic foods as this is the best measure for primary prevention of NTDs in the whole population regardless of employment and education status. Additional comprehensive studies are required to assess the incidence and risk factors throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

scholarly journals Knowledge and intake of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects among pregnant women in urban China: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Cui ◽  
Xiao-Lin Lu ◽  
Yan-Yu Lyu ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xiao-Lu Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in China declined during 2000–2017 with periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation, which is effective in reducing the risk of birth defects. We aimed to assess the knowledge and actual use of FA among Chinese pregnant women and to explore factors associated with FA use before pregnancy. Methods All data were collected in face-to-face interviews during health visits among pregnant women. We collected information about knowledge and use of FA supplements and demographic, socioeconomic, and health status. One maternity and childcare hospital was chosen in each of four cities: Beijing, Huaibei, Kunming, and Haikou. In total, 435 pregnant women were randomly recruited for interviews conducted from June to December 2016. Results A total of 428 pregnant women were included in this survey. Of these, 82.0% (351/428) knew that FA can prevent NTDs, and 75.9% (325/428) knew the correct time to take FA. Overall, 65.9% (282/428) of women knew both that FA can prevent NTDs and the recommended time to take FA before pregnancy. Approximately 95.1% (407/428) of women reported having ever taken FA, only 46.3% (198/428) had begun to take FA supplementation before conception, and 64.5% (109/169) of women from rural areas failed to take FA before pregnancy. Women living in northern China (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–2.77), those with unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.30–3.04), and highly educated women (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.45–3.88) were more likely to know about FA. Women who were homemakers (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.21–3.11) and had unplanned pregnancy (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 4.01–9.53) were less likely to begin taking FA before pregnancy. Conclusions Our survey showed that most pregnant women knew about FA. Although preconception intake of FA can help to reduce NTDs, improving the rate of FA intake before pregnancy is needed in urban areas of China, especially among homemakers and women from rural areas or with unplanned pregnancy. Campaigns are needed to increase awareness about FA and FA use before pregnancy among rural women, homemakers, and those with unplanned pregnancy and lower education levels.

scholarly journals Improving access to healthcare for women in Tanzania by addressing socioeconomic determinants and health insurance: a population-based cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e023013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deogratius Bintabara ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Income Country

ObjectiveThis study was performed to explore the factors associated with accumulation of multiple problems in accessing healthcare among women in Tanzania as an example of a low-income country.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional survey.SettingNationwide representative data for women of reproductive age obtained from the 2015–2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey were analysed.Primary outcome measuresA composite variable, ‘problems in accessing healthcare’, with five (1-5) categories was created based on the number of problems reported: obtaining permission to go to the doctor, obtaining money to pay for advice or treatment, distance to a health facility and not wanting to go alone. Respondents who reported fewer or more problems placed in lower and higher categories, respectively.ResultsA total of 13 266 women aged 15–49 years, with a median age (IQR) of 27 (20–36) years were interviewed and included in the analysis. About two-thirds (65.53%) of the respondents reported at least one of the four major problems in accessing healthcare. Furthermore, after controlling for other variables included in the final model, women without any type of health insurance, those belonging to the poorest class according to the wealth index, those who had not attended any type of formal education, those who were not employed for cash, each year of increasing age and those who were divorced, separated or widowed were associated with greater problems in accessing healthcare.ConclusionThis study indicated the additive effects of barriers to healthcare in low-income countries such as Tanzania. Based on these results, improving uptake of health insurance and addressing social determinants of health are the first steps towards reducing women’s problems associated with accessing healthcare.

scholarly journals Availability of ENT Surgical Procedures and Medication in Low-Income Nation Hospitals: Cause for Concern in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lufunda Lukama ◽  
Chester Kalinda ◽  
Warren Kuhn ◽  
Colleen Aldous
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Essential Drugs ◽  
High Prevalence

Background. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases are an oft overlooked global health concern. Despite their high prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality, ENT diseases have remained neglected in health care delivery. In Zambia and many other low-income countries, ENT services are characterized by poor funding, unavailable surgical procedures, and erratic supply of essential drugs. Objective. To investigate ENT service provision in Zambia with regard to availability of surgical procedures and supply of essential drugs. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a piloted structured questionnaire between 17 January 2017 and 2 January 2018. Included in the study were the 109 hospitals registered with the Ministry of Health (MoH) across the 10 provinces of Zambia. Results. Of the participating hospitals, only 5.9% (n=1) and 40% (n=2) of Second-Level Hospitals (SLH) and Third-Level Hospitals (TLH), respectively, carried out tympanoplasty, myringotomy, and grommet insertion (M+G). Frontal trephination and external ethmoidectomy were offered in 11.7% (n=2) and 40% (n=2) of SLH and TLH, respectively. While tracheostomy (39.3%, n=24), tonsillectomy (27.9%, n=17), and adenoidectomy (27.9%, n=17) were the most widely performed head and neck procedures, laryngectomy was carried out by 1 hospital. Between 14.8% (n=9) and 36.1% (n=22) of hospitals lacked antibiotic and/or antiseptic ear drops. Despite 96.7% (n=59) of the respondents acknowledging ENT as an important branch of clinical practice, only 15.3% (n=4) of the hospitals had a budget for ENT. Also, 6.6% (n=4) of the respondents thought the discipline of ENT had received enough attention. Conclusion. ENT service delivery in Zambia is limited with regard to performed surgical procedures and availability of essential drugs, necessitating urgent intervention. The findings from this study may be used to direct national policy on the improvement of provision of ENT services in Zambia.

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