Awareness of folic acid for neural tube defect prevention among Israeli women

The failure of neural tube closure during early embryogenesis results in a range of neural tube defects (NTD), the most common of which is spina bifid a. The role of folic acid in reducing the rate of NID has been well-establi shed. Three recent cases of infants with NTD inspired this investigative st udy into the level of awareness and knowledge of folic acid and its functio n in the prevention of NTD among Israeli women. Of 920 women interviewed, o nly 51 (5.5%) had heard of folic acid, and 27(2.8%) were reported to have t aken it. The source of information and the motivation for self-medication w ere also explored with regard to socioeconomic and health profile. Awarenes s of folic acid was significant among women aged 17-29 years (P = 0.005) an d those aged 30-39 years (P = 0.009), and among semireligious and nonreligi ous women (P = 0.008 and 0.01, respectively). Among women who were aware of folic acid, only nonreligious women tended to take it. No correlation was found between folic acid intake and age, religiosity, nationality, number o f pregnancies, and health status among women who were aware of folic acid i ntake. The poor level of awareness, evident in our study, demands that the medical community broadcast the benefit of folic acid. Furthermore, governm ent health initiatives, such as the addition of folic acid to flour prepara tions, may effectively ensure its appropriate daily intake. These improved education and prevention programs may forcibly reduce the rate of NTD-affec ted pregnancies. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.