A SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF FOLIC-ACID AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE IN DUBLIN

Background The Medical Research Council vitamin trial highlighted the importance of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects. Sin ce 1993, the Irish Department of Health has recommended periconception al folic acid supplements, The objective of this study was to document the knowledge and behaviour of women in child-bearing years to perico nceptional folic acid. Methods A cross-sectional community-based surve y was conducted in Dublin using an interviewer administered questionna ire. Results A total of 335 women took part in the study, a response r ate of 84 per cent, Approximately two-thirds (213/335, 63.6 per cent) had heard of folic acid, Knowledge was significantly associated with h igher social class and higher education (p < 0.05). Few (18/335, 5.4 p er cent), had been advised to take folic acid before pregnancy. Only 9 /335 (2.7 per cent) of the women in the study were currently taking fo lic acid supplements, Three-quarters (75.9 per cent) of the group woul d be willing to take periconceptional folic acid supplements if they b elieved it would reduce the risk of malformations. The majority (77.4 per cent) would prefer to take folic acid in tablet form rather than h ave it added to food. Conclusions This study shows that few women in c hildbearing years in Dublin have been advised on folic acid, and very few are taking supplements, However, if advised appropriately the majo rity would be willing to take periconceptional folic acid in tablet fo rm.