A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Folic Acid Supplement Status in Women of Childbearing Age in Dongguan City
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 10, Issue 2
Abstract
Objective: To understand the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of folic acid supplement status among women of childbearing age in Dongguan city so as to provide evidence for developing a strategy of health education and promotion. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1445 women of childbearing age who sought medicine services in The Third People's Hospital of Dongguan City with situation of folic acid supplementation. Results: Among the respondents, 95.54% had heard about of folic acid, 70.59% knew that folic acid was vitamin, 88.47% knew that supplement of folic acid could prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), 86.35% knew the correct frequency, 45.26% knew the recommended daily dose, 78.37% knew the optimum time for taking and 32.35% could take folic acid in right way. Chi square test results showed that age, education, occupation and income were associated with awareness rate of the effects of folic acid (x2 value was25.03, 103.04, 52.81, 48.53, respectively, all P<0.05). Education, occupation and income were associated with the correct use of folic acid (x2 value was 17.90, 7.48, 12.77, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusion: The women of childbearing age in Dongguan city have deep understanding of the knowledge of folic acid supplement, but only a few women of childbearing age could take folic acid in right way. There is a separation between knowledge, attitude and practice. KAP in health education is inefficient. It is necessary to enhance health promotion to provide good social environment and strategy for reducing incidence of NTDs and improving quality of newborns. Introduction Birth defects refer to anatomical structural and functional abnormalities in the development of embryos or fetuses due to genetic, environmental factors or a combination of both before pregnancy or during pregnancy [1]. Neutral tube defects are one of the most common and severe group of malformations. The main manifestations are the presence or absence of brain malformations and spina bifida. It is one of the main causes of miscarriage, stillbirth, stillbirth and lifelong disability in women of childbearing age [2,3]. The number of birth defects in China is as high as 900,000 per year, and the incidence of some birth defects is on the rise. According to estimates, China’s annual Neural tube defects will increase by about 18,000, and the annual direct economic losses caused by Neural tube defects exceed 200 million yuan [4,5]. Folic acid, also known as pterophyllin, is a group B water- soluble vitamin that participates in the metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins and phospholipids and plays a major role in cell division and proliferation. The human body's demand for folic acid increases rapidly during embryogenesis and fetal development. At this time, if the mother does not provide enough folic acid, it may cause fetal NTDs and maternal anemia. Studies at home and abroad have shown that rational addition of folic acid can significantly reduce the incidence of neural tube defects [6,7]. It can also prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight, and congenital heart disease [8-10]. Therefore, the health promotion work of folic acid supplementation in women of childbearing age is conducive to ensuring the life and health of newborns.
Authors and Affiliations
Xiao yan Sun, Bo Chen, Yu-Dong Pu, Xue mei Chen, Lin xiao Han
Keywords
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- EP ID EP587344
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.10.001914
- Views 144
- Downloads 0
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