[Folic acid consumption by pregnant women prior to and during pregnancy.].
OBJECTIVE
To study consumption of folic acid supplements by women before conception and during pregnancy. Concurrently, the incidence of planned pregnancy and the women's knowledge of the preventive value of folic acid was investigated.


METHODS
A questionnaire was presented to all 128 pregnant women attending a maternal clinic in rural area during one month's period. The aim was to reveal the women's knowledge of folic acid and its use prior to conception and during pregnancy. Demographic information were collected and questions designed to reveal whether the pregnancy was planned or not, was included. The distribution within the sample was calculated.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was completed by 113 women (88.3%). Nine per cent had taken folic acid regularly before pregnancy. Women who had taken folic acid on a regular basis during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy were 40.7%. The current pregnancy had been planned in 62.9% cases. None of the women in the youngest age group of 15-19 years had planned their pregnancy. Advice regarding folic acid intake before pregnancy was not given in 68.1% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Health education regarding the beneficial effect of folic acid must be directed equally towards the providers of health care and the general public. This education must be aimed at all women capable of becoming pregnant, not only at those planning pregnancy. The knowledge of health care providers and the general public about the preventive value of folic acid is important in order to reduce the risk of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects.
Karlsdóttir
Sigríður Inga
SI
Akureyri Health Care Centre, 600 Akureyri, Iceland. rannveig@hak.ak.is.
Pálsdóttir
Rannveig
R
Arngrímsson
Reynir
R