Each year in the United States, approximately 4,000 pregnancies are affected by spina bifida and anencephaly. The B-vitamin folic acid has been shown to reduce the occurrence of spina bifida and anencephaly by at least 50% when consumed daily before conception and during early pregnancy. In 1992, the Public Health Service recommended that all women of childbearing age who are capable of becoming pregnant consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. To assess trends in folic acid knowledge and consumption, the March of Dimes contracted with the Gallup Organization between 1995 and 2000 (1995, 97, 98 and 2000) to conduct random digit telephone interviews with a proportionate stratified national sample of approximately 2,000 women in each survey between the ages of 18 and 45 years. The year 2000 survey results will be available in February 2000 and compared to 1995. Data between 1995 and 1998 indicate that the proportion of non-pregnant women reporting consumption of a multivitamin containing folic acid increased only slightly (from 25% to 29%). Between 1995 and 1998, awareness that women should take folic acid prior to pregnancy and that it can prevent birth defects increased, but the proportions remained low. In 1998, the majority of women reported magazines as their major source of folic acid information (31%), followed by radio and television (23%) and their health care provider (19%). Other key findings and implications for future policy decisions, folic acid program efforts and knowledge among health care practitioners will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants in this session will be able to: 1. Describe trends in folic acid knowledge and consumption among women of reproductive age. 2. Discuss the role of health care providers in providing patients with information on folic acid 3. Identify the implications of these results for public policy and program efforts related to folic acid
Keywords: Birth Outcomes, Maternal Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.