Awareness and use of folic acid in a clinic-based Saudi pregnant population

McWalter, Patricia; Shmassi, Amal Al; Eldali, Abdelmoneim

doi:10.4103/1658-631x.156425

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Looking at the above figures, it was clear that there was a real evidence of changing in the trend towards folic acid. Similar results were shown & confirmed by other studies to the need for an educational campaign to increase the awareness of FA role & benefits (9,13,19). Women who take FA supplements without knowledge of its benefits, may not continue using it, but knowledge of the exact role of FA in preventing NTDs will make them more committed to its administration during the critical time using the right dose (5,10,18).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

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The Awareness of Folic Acid Supplements among Women of Child bearing Age in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

Bukhari¹,

Bajouh²,

Aljehani³

et al. 2016

IJLSSR

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ABSTRACT-This study aimed to assess the awareness of the importance of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects (the timing of folic acid supplementation and the right doses) in Jeddah the western region of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 501 married women in the reproductive age (19-45 years) who visited the outpatients clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between August and October/2015 were asked to participate in a survey study targeting the awareness and the use of folic acid before and during pregnancy. First step was collecting Participants' responds on a range of questions related to socio demographic & medical characteristics. Then in second step they were provided with questions related to their awareness before and after reading the distributed intervention brochure. Of the 501 Participants, 317 (63.3%) were Saudis, many were above 30 years of age (55.1%), 460 (91.8%) heard about folic acid & 429 (85.6%) have taken it. However, only 169 (33.7%) knew that it must be given during preconception and as early as the 1st 12 weeks of gestation. A significant difference was found before and after reading the brochure in Participants' knowledge about the benefits of folic acid in preventing neural tubal defect , the critical time of administration & the right doses (P <0.000, P <0.000, P <0.000) respectively. University education was the strongest predictor to have the right information with significant difference (P <0.000). 279 (71.2%) of the participants reported the medical staff as to be their main source of information. The health care professionals and media need to increase women awareness about the importance of taking folic acid supplementation in the proper time to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Research Article (Open access) child with a NTD, the dose should be of 4 mg of folic acid per day (6,9,14). But in spite of all these studies & recommendations, the folic acid intake is still very low in women of childbearing age.…”

Section: Doimentioning

confidence: 99%

The Awareness of Folic Acid Supplements among Women of Child bearing Age in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

Bukhari¹,

Bajouh²,

Aljehani³

et al. 2016

IJLSSR

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show abstract

“…The prevalence of dietary supplement use in the general population has been reported in different parts of Saudi Arabia [ 19 ]. In addition, use of dietary supplements in pregnant Saudi women had been reported in several recent studies [ 15 , 16 , 20 , 21 ]. The high prevalence (71.5%) of dietary supplement use in the present study reinforces these local findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the well-established vitamin and supplement market in the country accounts for 4% of the total pharmaceutical market sales (US $80 M) [ 12 ]. Many recent studies observed the lack of knowledge, especially in girls regarding micronutrients [ 13 , 14 ] and supplement intake among pregnant Saudi women from various regions [ 15 – 17 ]. Moreover, a study performed by Gemeda Daba et al has demonstrated a significant positive relationship between nutritional information and level of education among pregnant women [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with dietary supplement use in Saudi pregnant women

et al. 2017

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BackgroundThe aim was to investigate the prevalence of dietary supplement use among pregnant Saudi women and its associations between various demographics.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 137 pregnant women attending prenatal care from King Salman Hospital completed a self-administered questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, general awareness, attitude and behavior towards use of dietary supplements during pregnancy.ResultsDietary supplement use among Saudi women in pregnancy was high (71.5%) and was significantly associated with level of education (p = 0.005), family income (p = 0.039) and number of children (p = 0.007). No significant association was observed between neonatal health outcomes and dietary supplement use during pregnancy. In all participants, 81.6% believed that supplement use is important for nutritional status and more favorable neonatal outcomes. For the majority of participants, the primary source of information for dietary supplement use was a doctor’s advice. The majority of the participants [65.7% (n = 90)] responded that dietary supplement use is safe. Folic acid was found to be the most common type of dietary supplement used (95.9%; n = 94); however, 53.1% (n = 52) did not take folic acid supplements 3 months prior to pregnancy. Other common supplements used were iron, calcium and vitamin D (88.8, 81.6, and 41%, respectively).ConclusionsThis study provided new information on dietary supplement use and its correlates in Saudi pregnant women. The prevalence of dietary supplement use was high in this group and was associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics.

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“…Specifically, most Saudi females (66%) reported starting FA when they realized that they were pregnant. By this time, they had passed the critical period of neural tube formation, which is a major concern, especially for unplanned pregnancies [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of folic acid and spina bifida among female college students and employees in Asir region, Saudi Arabia

Alnaami¹,

Alayad²,

Alamer³

et al. 2018

biomedicalresearch

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Background: Spina bifida is one of the most challenging and partially preventable congenital diseases that can be prevented with adequate amounts of folic acid (FA) intake before conception and throughout the first few months of pregnancy. Knowledge about the adequate timing and duration of FA intake is critical for prevention. Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess spina bifida and FA awareness among female students at King Khalid University (KKU), Abha, Saudi Arabia. The study included three groups: health-college female students (HCS), non-health-college female students (NHCS), and KKU female employees (others). These three groups were attendants at the Spina Bifida Awareness Week that was held at KKU in March 2017. Results: There were 1,366 participants, of whom 11% were HCS, 59% were NHCS, and 30% were "others". Across all tested domains (i.e., spina bifida awareness, FA intake time and duration, diseases prevented by folic acid intake, and food rich in folic acid), it was found that statistically significant differences existed. The results showed a highly significant lack of knowledge towards the aforementioned domains in both the NHCS and "others" groups. Marital status and number of children were independent variables and showed statistically significant differences in knowledge toward the tested domains. Conclusion: In Saudi Arabia, more attention should be paid to educate women of childbearing age on the importance of FA intake in preventing spina bifida. These results indicate how FA intake awareness should be embedded in junior-high and secondary school curricula to further educate females on the importance of FA.

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Awareness and use of folic acid in a clinic-based Saudi pregnant population

Cited by 11 publications

References 10 publications

The Awareness of Folic Acid Supplements among Women of Child bearing Age in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

The Awareness of Folic Acid Supplements among Women of Child bearing Age in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

Factors associated with dietary supplement use in Saudi pregnant women

Knowledge of folic acid and spina bifida among female college students and employees in Asir region, Saudi Arabia

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