College women's awareness and consumption of folic acid for the preventionof neural tube defects

Purpose: Awareness and consumption of folic acid in the context of neural t ube defect prevention among college women were assessed. Methods: Subjects documented folic acid awareness and multivitamin consumption. Beliefs about folic acid before and after an educational intervention were characterized using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Fetal Health Locus of Control Scale (FHLCS). Results: Awareness of folic acid was not associated with mul tivitamin consumption. Belief variables were not associated with awareness or consumption of folic acid. Conclusion: This study does not support educa tional interventions based on the HEM or FHLCS to increase multivitamin con sumption among college women.