title: Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding folic acid deficiency; A hidden hunger.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find the Knowledge Attitude and Practice regarding Folic Acid Deficiency among Women of Child Bearing Age (WPCBA). To find out the Association of Education Level with Practice of Folic Acid in WPCBA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Descriptive cross sectional study (Knowledge Practice and Attitude) was conducted at Military Hospital and Combined Hospital Rawalpindi from September 2012 to February 2013. About 400 married females of age group 21-42 years were included by convenient sampling technique. After taking informed verbal consent, a closed ended interviewer administered questionnaire was filled. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the respondents was 30.31 + 5.280 years. Illiterate and literate were 165 (41.25%) and 235 (58.75%) respectively. The knowledge regarding folic acid need was 172 (43%). Only 161 (40.25%) thought that folic acid deficiency in pregnant women results in abnormality in newborn. In pregnancy, 205 (51.25%) had received folic acid supplementation. Association between education level and practice of folic acid was significant (p= 0.009) at 95% confidence level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge regarding folic acid deficiency among WOCBA was low along with the poor attitude. Practice was also not satisfactory. Education status plays important role in preventing micronutrient deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Aliya Hisam, MBBS, MPH, Lecturer, Community Medicine Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Aliya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hisam
authors.affiliation: Mahmood Ur Rahman, MBBS, DPH, MPH, MSc, FCPS, Professor and Head, Community Medicine Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mahmood Ur
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Syed Fawad Mashhadi, MBBS, MPH, Lecturer, Community Medicine Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Fawad
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Mashhadi
keywords: Attitude; Folic acid Deficiency; Knowledge; Practice