Patterns and predictors of folic acid supplement use among pregnant women: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study.
BACKGROUND
Patterns and predictors of maternal folic acid supplement use have not been examined in large prospective studies of pregnant women.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the patterns and predictors of maternal folic acid supplement use from 2 mo before pregnancy through the eighth month of pregnancy.


METHODS
Data from 22 500 women in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study with deliveries recorded in 2000-2003 were analyzed.


RESULTS
Folic acid supplement use increased from 11.8% at 2 mo before pregnancy to 46.9% at gestational month 3, but decreased to 26.0% at gestational month 8. Of 16 116 women (71.6%) who had taken folic acid supplements at some time before or during pregnancy, 72.4% had started use after becoming pregnant. Ten percent of the women had used supplements regularly from 1 mo before pregnancy throughout the first trimester. These women more frequently reported higher maternal and paternal education, planned pregnancies, infertility treatments, or chronic diseases. They were also more likely to be older, married, and nonsmokers and to have higher income and lower parity.


CONCLUSIONS
Most women started folic acid supplementation too late with respect to the prevention of neural tube defects. More effective intervention programs to improve periconceptional intakes of folic acid are needed and should consider both demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Nilsen
Roy M
RM
Section for Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. roy.nilsen@uib.no
Vollset
Stein E
SE
Gjessing
Håkon K
HK
Magnus
Per
P
Meltzer
Helle M
HM
Haugen
Margaretha
M
Ueland
Per M
PM
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009664:Norway; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid