Trends in folic Acid awareness and behavior in the United States: the Gallup Organization for the March of Dimes Foundation surveys, 1995-2005.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize changes in folic acid awareness, knowledge, and behavior among women of childbearing age in the United States since the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) 1992 folic acid recommendation and later fortification.


METHODS
Random-digit dialed telephone surveys were conducted of approximately 2000 women (per survey year) aged 18-45 years from 1995-2005 in the United States.


RESULTS
The percentage of women reporting having heard or read about folic acid steadily increased from 52% in 1995 to 84% in 2005. Of all women surveyed in 2005, 19% knew folic acid prevented birth defects, an increase from 4% in 1995. The proportion of women who reported learning about folic acid from health care providers increased from 13% in 1995 to 26% in 2005. The proportion of all women who reported taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid increased slightly from 28% in 1995 to 33% in 2005. Among women who were not pregnant at the time of the survey in 2005, 31% reported taking a vitamin containing folic acid daily compared with 25% in 1995.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of women taking folic acid daily has increased modestly since 1995. Despite this increase, the data show that the majority of women of childbearing age still do not take a vitamin containing folic acid daily. Health care providers and maternal child health professionals must continue to promote preconceptional health among all women of childbearing age, and encourage them to take a vitamin containing folic acid daily.
Green-Raleigh
Kathleen
K
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road MS-E59, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Carter
Heather
H
Mulinare
Joseph
J
Prue
Christine
C
Petrini
Joann
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005582:Foundations; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health
D005492:Folic Acid