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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kristi Lewis, PhD, MPH and Danielle S. Lowder, MS. Department of Health Sciences/CISAT, James Madison University, 701 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, 540/568-2607, lewiskristi@gmail.com

Folic acid consumption prior to conception has been proven to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. While there has been a lot of information disseminated on folic acid, there still remains a lack of knowledge among females of child bearing age on the importance and benefits related to folic acid consumption. Health care providers are often the main source of health information including prevention education. In a recent pilot study, knowledge about folic acid was lacking among college-age females. This lack of knowledge was seen as the main barrier to consuming the recommended daily allowance of folic acid. In the study, most of the participants stated that they had never been advised by a health care provider to consume a daily multivitamin. They also stated that their health care provider never discussed folic acid and the importance of folic acid consumption during their child-bearing years. The findings of this study reveal the need for more health education interventions by health care providers.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the need for health care professionals to provide health education on folic acid to young women of child-bearing age.
• Develop a plan for increasing awareness among health care providers about folic acid.
• List some areas where there is a lack of knowledge on folic acid among college-aged females.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered