Are the Level of Knowledge and Practices of Pregnant Women Regarding Folic Acid Supplementation Still Inadequate? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Middle Eastern Urban Setting

ABSTRACT

This observational cross-sectional study aimed to examine the knowledge and practices of pregnant women in North Lebanon regarding periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation. A convenience sample of pregnant women attending gynecology clinics in North Lebanon was recruited between May and September 2013. Data were collected from a face-to-face interview performed by a trained local dietician as well as from review of obstetric charts. A total of 465 women were included in the study. Only 37 (7.9%) were aware of the role of FA in preventing birth defects, while 129 (27.7%) were able to identify one food item rich in FA or folate. Only 125 (26.9%) were taking FA supplementation before pregnancy. While 440 (94.6%) participants were taking FA supplements during pregnancy, 158 (34%) were receiving an inadequate dose. Adequate preconceptional supplementation of FA was significantly associated with the women's level of education (p =.008), planned pregnancy (p <.0001), and gynecologic visit before pregnancy (p <.0001). Moreover, young age (p =.003) and small number of children (p =.019) were significant predictors of adequate supplementation during pregnancy. Our study revealed deficient knowledge and inadequate intake of FA supplements before and during pregnancy.

KEYWORDS:

• awareness
• folic acid supplementation
• Middle East
• neural tube defects
• pregnancy

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

About the authors

Antoine Aoun, MD PhD, Specialist in Family Medicine and Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences at Notre Dame University Louaize. Dr. Aoun's major research interests include eating behaviors and nutritional supplementation.

Lara Faddoul, MS, in Human Nutrition, Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik. Ms Faddoul's major research interests include nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy.

Flora El Jabbour, MS in Human Nutrition, Université Libanaise. Mrs El Jabbour's major research interests include nutritional supplementation and food security.

Nada El Osta, DDM (doctor of dental medicine), Université Saint-Joseph. Dr El Osta's major research interests include nutrition and dental health.

Sani Hlais, MD MPH, Université Saint-Joseph and American University of Beirut. Dr Hlais' major research interests include preventive and sports medicine.

Lana El Osta, MD, Université Saint-Joseph. Dr El Osta's major research interests include sports medicine and nutrition in cancer.