Periconceptional folic acid use among women giving birth at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin.
BACKGROUND
The New Zealand Ministry of Health advises that all women planning a pregnancy take a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of having a neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancy. There is little information available to determine if women are following this advice.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine periconceptional folic acid use among women in the postnatal ward of Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to women in the postnatal ward between 14 November and 22 December 2004.


RESULTS
One hundred and six women were interviewed during the study period. Forty women (39%) used folic acid supplements before conception. Sixty-seven women (64%) planned their pregnancy. The proportion of women (P<0.001) who planned their pregnancy (53%) and used folic acid before conception was higher than those who did not (11%). The proportion of women 30 years of age (55%) who took folic acid supplements before conception was higher than women aged 17 to <25 years (10%).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a lack of a public health campaign in New Zealand, a high proportion of participants, especially those who planned their pregnancy, took folic acid during the periconceptional period. A comprehensive public health campaign is needed to increase folic acid use. Fortification may be required to reach those women who do not plan their pregnancies.
Dobson
Isla
I
Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Devenish
Celia
C
Skeaff
C Murray
CM
Green
Tim J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid