title: Evaluation of the level of awareness of the role of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects amongst women of reproductive age in a tertiary health institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neural tube defects are major cause of infant mortality and disability. Their occurrence has been linked to folate deficiency during pregnancy. Periconceptional use of folate has been shown to significantly reduce their incidence. Awareness of this relationship is key to adopting appropriate measures to prevent them. This study was carried out to assess the level of this awareness among reproductive-age female employees in a tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires designed to assess respondents' knowledge about neural tube defects and folic acid were completed by women of child-bearing age working in various departments of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Data were collated and analysed by a third party who had no knowledge of the respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  94.4% of the respondents had some knowledge about folic acid. 29.6% knew something about neural tube defects. 24.1% were aware that folate has a beneficial role in their prevention. 70.4% said they would not take it daily if they were not pregnant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of awareness about the role of folate in prevention of neural tube defects among respondents in this study is low; and thus there is poor response to suggestions regarding its periconceptional use. There is need to enhance this awareness to ensure that populations at risk benefit from research on the subject.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. patcjakpor@yahoo.com
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Eghwrudjakpor
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Amadi
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Amusan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid