title: Pregnancy planning: a determinant of folic acid supplements use for the primary prevention of neural tube defects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Daily consumption of supplements containing 400 micrograms of folic acid in the periconception period may reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) by as much as 70%. However, despite explicit recommendations, folic acid consumption among women likely to become pregnant remains low. The objectives of this study were: to evaluate women's knowledge and beliefs with regard to folic acid; to estimate the frequency of vitamin supplement consumption; and to identify its determinants during the periconception period.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 1999-2000, a questionnaire was completed by 1,240 pregnant women in 10 Quebec hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy percent of the respondents were aware of the preventive role of folic acid but only 25% had taken the recommended dose of supplements during the periconception period. Supplement consumption is associated with the pregnancy planning intensity score (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.11), knowledge score (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.07-1.16) and belief in the usefulness of supplements (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.02-2.39).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that further efforts are needed to inform the population and promote the optimal use of folic acid supplements.
authors.affiliation: CLSC de la Région Sherbrookoise-SSPER-Université de Sherbrooke, 50, Camirand Street, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4J5. pmorin@courrier.usherb.ca
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Wals
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: St-Cyr-Tribble
authors.forename: Théophile
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niyonsenga
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Payette
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011792:Quebec; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid