Alblowi, S., Alomayri, M. (2018). Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, and Behavior of Folic Acid. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 70(7), 1242-1247. doi: 10.12816/0044558
Samr Abdullah Alblowi; Mona Hameed Alomayri. "Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, and Behavior of Folic Acid". The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 70, 7, 2018, 1242-1247. doi: 10.12816/0044558
Alblowi, S., Alomayri, M. (2018). 'Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, and Behavior of Folic Acid', The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 70(7), pp. 1242-1247. doi: 10.12816/0044558
Alblowi, S., Alomayri, M. Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, and Behavior of Folic Acid. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018; 70(7): 1242-1247. doi: 10.12816/0044558
Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, and Behavior of Folic Acid
Obstetrics & Gynecology department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Tabuk/Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background: A balanced diet is very important for pregnant women, which consists of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats. Supplements do not replace a healthy diet but rather ensure that a woman is taking enough daily nutrients.Folic acid (FA) is a B vitamin, which is found in different foods but can be best got through a multi-vitamin. Things such as leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals, orange juice and strawberries are just some of many foods that contain folic acid.Congenital anomalies affect an evaluated 3% of newborns worldwide. Nearly 50 years ago, it was found that the B-vitamin folic acid play a role in improving normal embryonic development. This study done to investigate the level of awareness among female college students on the importance of preconception folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods: We have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tabuk city population, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire requires information about Knowledge, awareness, perception of Folic Acid importance and use among females during the childbearing period, has been filled by participants. Results: In this study, there was a significant relation between age and if ever heard about folic acid (p<0.001), and for work and if ever heard about folic acid (p<0.001). Those who heard about folic acid were ninety four, and the majority of them aged from eighteen to thirty years (65.9%). Among those who heard about folic acid, the majority were university graduated (73.4%). Conclusion: We need to apply more efforts to increase the knowledge and emphasize on the importance of the use of folic acid among females in Tabuk city.