Abstract
Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of folic acid intake and its associated factors in women aged 18 - 60 years.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By using systematic sampling 4000 women were selected from different clinics.
Results: Out of 4000 women, 3702 (92%) responded. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 38.6 (11.8) years. University level education status was observed in 32.9% of women. About 79.7% of study subjects were married. The distribution of parity was primigravida (17%), multigravida (44.5%) and grandmultipara (38.5%). About 58% of study subjects responded that they know about folic acid. A statistically significant association was observed between educational status of subjects and their responses related to benefits of folic acid and its presence in different types of diet. About 31.5% of married subjects were aware of need of pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation and 51.6% of them had received folk acid supplementation during their pregnancies. The sources of information for folic acid were doctor, nurse, internet, media, friends and family members.
Conclusion: Educational status of Saudi women was having positive impact on Knowledge and usage of folic acid. Measures could be taken to improve its usage in women of childbearing age by providing pre conception counseling at regular intervals by health care providers.