FACTORS AFFECTING THE USE OF FOLIC-ACID SUPPLEMENTS IN PREGNANT-WOMENIN GLASGOW

Background. Use of folic acid supplements preconception, and during th e first trimester, is associated with a reduced incidence of first and subsequent neural tube defects. The Department of Health guidelines r ecommend the use of folic acid supplements by all women planning a pre gnancy. Aim, To ascertain the proportion using folic acid supplements and the factors affecting their use. Method. Ouestionnaires were distr ibuted postpartum to the 515 women who delivered normal babies in thre e maternity units in Glasgow over a four-week period.Results, Forms we re completed by 487 (95%) women. Only 57% took supplements at some poi nt during their pregnancy, and only 21% took them before conception, F ailure to take supplements was significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy, younger age, and previous pregnancies. Lack of awareness o f the potential benefits associated with folic acid use was the common est reason cited by women for not taking supplements. Conclusions. Inc reased health education through health care professionals and mass med ia campaigns can improve awareness and thereby increase the use of sup plements in planned pregnancies. However, 42% of women in our study ha d unplanned pregnancies. Intake of folic acid supplements in this grou p can only be increased by improvements in dietary intake within the p opulation as a whole, and by fortification of commonly ingested foods.