The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56936

Samar McGregor, MPH RD, STEP, PHFE-WIC Program, 12781 Schabarum Ave., Irwindale, CA 91706, 626-856-6650, samar@phfewic.org

PHFE-WIC Program Folic Acid Project

The PHFE- WIC Program was awarded funding from the March of Dimes to implement a one-year three-model intervention to increase the knowledge and intake of folic acid of approximately 300,000 women of child-bearing age participating in the WIC Program in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The project consisted of three models:

Model 1: All PHFE-WIC participants attended a half-hour group education session on the importance and sources of folic acid.

Model 2: All PHFE-WIC participants attended a half-hour group education session on the importance and sources of Folic Acid. In addition, a sample of 200 women in one WIC Center in each county received a three-month supply of coupons for breakfast cereal fortified with 0.4 milligrams of folic acid.

Model 3: All PHFE-WIC participants attended a half-hour group education session on the importance and sources of Folic Acid. In addition, a sample of 200 women in one WIC Center in each county received a three-month supply of multi-vitamins containing 0.4 milligrams of folic acid.

Intake of folic acid by all the groups was evaluated at the start of the program and again at 3 and at 6 months thereafter.

Results show that education alone did not increase the women’s intake of folic acid. The women in the Cereal Group (Model 2) showed a slight increase in folic acid intake. The women in the Vitamin Group (Model 3) showed a significant increase in folic acid intake primarily in their vitamin intake.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• List the 3 Models used in the Folic Acid Project and the behavioral change that occurred in the duration of the project.
• Identify the most effective method of increasing folic acid intake in women of child bearing age who are low-income.
• Recognize policy implications in regards to the WIC Program as well as the public health community in providing vitamins for women of child bearing age who are low-income as well as providing more choices in the WIC food packet so that low-income women can increase their intake of folic acid.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: March of Dimes;General Mills; Watson Pharmacueticals
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.