The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #33533

Adriane K. Griffen, MPH, CHES, Spina Bifida Association of America, 4590 Mac Arthur Blvd., NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20007, 202-944-3285x13, agriffen@sbaa.org

Purpose of the Program: The Recurrence Prevention Program educates women at increased risk for neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancies (specifically women who have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida themselves, or have had an NTD-affected pregnancy) and their health care providers about the importance of increasing folic acid consumption by prescription prior to future pregnancies. Setting: The Program works on a national level with its affiliates and a network of spina bifida clinics in addition to various partners on the National Council on Folic Acid and from the private sector. Interventions: The Program combines health education, media advocacy, and social marketing to increase awareness of folic acid among the target audiences. A series of materials has been developed for women and their health care providers. Outcomes: Baseline audience awareness and consumption data among the women indicated that 33% are taking folic acid and 49% have received folic acid counseling from their health care provider. Follow up awareness data have shown a 9% increase in folic acid counseling by health care providers. Process evaluation data indicated that folic acid is being mentioned to women and their health care providers more often by our spina bifida clinics and our local affiliates. Media advocacy efforts resulted in placement circulations of more than 5 million. Conclusions: Continued awareness efforts are needed for the target audiences, as most women at increased risk for NTDs are not aware of their need for prescription folic acid.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants should be able to describe the use of formative audience research in program planning. Learners will be able to apply session findings to programming that aims to influence health behavior of specialized maternal groups and health care providers.

Keywords: Health Education Strategies, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Spina Bifida Association of America
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.