Authors: Claudine Nasr Hage Maya Jalloul Mohamad Sabbah Salim M Adib
Publish Date: 2011/01/06
Volume: 16, Issue: 1, Pages: 258-265
Abstract
Since the early 1990s international recommendations have promoted folic acid supplementation during the periconception period as an effective way of preventing neural tube defects NTDs However the adoption of this recommendation remains insufficient To assess the awareness and actual intake of folic acid among married Lebanese women aged 18–45 years a crosssectional study was conducted among 600 women selected from all five administrative districts in Lebanon using a multistage cluster sampling procedure An anonymous questionnaire was completed which covered measures of knowledge and use of folate supplements as well as demographic socioeconomic and obstetrical factors Sixty percent of surveyed women 60 n = 360 had heard about folic acid Doctors were the most frequent source of information 611 but only 247 of women have been told of the correct period during which folic acid supplementation was useful Overall only 62 had taken folic acid tablets during the adequate period Younger age higher education level and stability/sufficiency of income appeared to be significant predictors of awareness among Lebanese women Actual folic acid intake was significantly associated with younger age higher number of pregnancies planning the last pregnancy and having had that last one after 1990 In Lebanon the level of folic acid awareness and adequate intake remain relatively low Several approaches should be used to promote folic acid intake including awareness campaigns and routine counseling by primary health care physicians on folic acid during preconception visits
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