Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2019 Nov;62(6):454-461. 10.5468/ogs.2019.62.6.454.

Prevalence of folic acid supplement consumption before and during pregnancy, and its determinants among community health center referrals

• Ezzeddin N
• Zavoshy R
• Noroozi M

• KMID: 2462124
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2019.62.6.454

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and determinants of folic acid supplementation among women referred to community health centers.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 325 women referred to community health centers. The subjects were selected from 8 community health centers, using a stratified sampling technique. Data regarding demographics, socioeconomic status, obstetrics, folic acid supplementation status, and household food security status were obtained via questionnaires. The data was analyzed in SPSS v22.
RESULTS
The prevalence of folic acid supplementation both before and during pregnancy was 54.5%. The results of the study showed that folic acid supplementation had a significant positive association with education level (odds ratio [OR],0 .441; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.199-0.977; P<0.05), being employed (OR, 0.353; 95% CI, 0.148-0.840; P<0.05), and planned pregnancy (OR, 18.113; 95% CI, 7.371-44.51; P<0.001). However, other variables, including age, husband's age, husband's education and employment status, the number of prior pregnancies, economic satisfaction, and household food security, were nonsignificant factors affecting folic acid supplementation.
CONCLUSION
Women with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to take folic acid supplements, and more effort should be made to increase their awareness of the importance of supplementation. Unplanned pregnancy is another strong risk factor for not supplementing with folic acid, and thus should be avoided.

Keyword

Folic acid; Contraception; Food security; Economic conditions

MeSH Terms

Community Health Centers*
Contraception
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demography
Education
Employment
Family Characteristics
Family Planning Services
Female
Folic Acid*
Food Supply
Humans
Obstetrics
Pregnancy*
Pregnancy, Unplanned
Prevalence*
Referral and Consultation*
Risk Factors
Social Class
Folic Acid

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