title: A survey of folate knowledge and consumer behaviours in Western Australia prior to the introduction of mandatory food fortification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prior to the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification in September 2009, this study collected baseline data on folate awareness, knowledge of pregnancy-relevant public health messages and consumer behaviours in Western Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand residents aged 18 years or older participated in a cross sectional telephone survey in September 2006. Respondents were recruited randomly from the electronic residential telephone directory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents reported knowing little or nothing about folate (86%). Women of childbearing age were more likely than other adults to know the association between folate intake and birth defects (82% v 56%) but 41% did not know that folate should be consumed periconceptionally to reduce the risk of spina bifida. Overall, half the respondents did not take supplements and two-thirds did not know if the food products they ate were fortified with folic acid. Associations were detected between knowledge, consumer behaviours and socio-economic indicators such as age, income, highest level of education, area of residence and parental status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mix of public health strategies that includes mandatory fortification and the promotion of supplement use should improve the timely and sufficient intake of folate across all socio-economic strata of the Australian population. Strategies that support the introduction of mandatory fortification, such as awareness and education campaigns should be built on a solid understanding of the drivers and barriers to knowledge acquisition and desired consumer behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Office of Population Health Genomics, Division of Public Health, Department of Health, Stirling Street, Perth, Western Australia 6849. caron.molster@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Caron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Molster
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samanek
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005527:Food, Fortified; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008875:Middle Aged; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid