Factors associated with folic acid knowledge and intake among pregnant women in Sudan

Abstract

Facteurs associés aux connaissances et déterminants concernant l'apport en acide folique parmi les femmes en âge de procréer au SoudanRÉSUMÉ La consommation d'acide folique avant la conception est connue pour avoir un effet protecteur contre les anomalies du tube neural (ATD). La présente étude avait pour objectif d'évaluer les connaissances et déterminants de la sensibilisation à la consommation d'acide folique parmi les femmes enceintes à la maternité de l'hôpital d'Omdourman au Soudan en 2014. Un questionnaire, standardisé et anonyme, a été utilisé pour collecter des données. Près de 80 % des répondants avaient déjà entendu parler de l'acide folique. Les femmes ayant reçu une éducation universitaire (92,2 %) en savaient plus sur l'acide folique et en consommaient davantage souvent durant la période préconceptionnelle (8,3 %). Les médecins étaient la source d'information la plus courante sur l'acide folique (62 %). Un nombre inférieur de sujets (8,9 %) étaient conscients que l'acide folique permet de prévenir les malformations congénitales et 33,8 % des sujets savaient que les légumes vert à feuilles constituent une source d'acide folique. Parmi tous les sujets, seulement 3,2 % en consommaient avant la conception. La supplémentation préconceptionnelle en acide folique doit être prise en compte afin de réduire la forte incidence des ATD constatées au Soudan. ABSTRACT Preconceptual folic acid use is known to have a protective effect against neural tube defects (NTDs). This study assessed knowledge and determinants of awareness on folic acid use among pregnant women at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan during 2014. The standardized, anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data. Almost 80% of respondents had heard of folic acid. College-educated women (92.2%) knew more about folic acid and used it more often in the pre-conceptual period (8.3%). Doctors were the commonest source of information on folic acid (62%). Fewer subjects (8.9%) knew that it prevented birth defects, and 33.8% of subjects knew that green leafy vegetables are a source of folic acid. Of all subjects, only 3.2% use it preconceptually. Supplementation of folic acid preconceptually needs to be addressed in order to reduce the rate of NTDs found in Sudan. ‫السودان‬ ‫درمان،‬ ‫أم‬ ‫يف‬ ‫احلوامل‬ ‫النساء‬ ‫بني‬ ‫الفوليك‬ ‫محض‬ ‫تناول‬ ‫وحمددات‬ ‫معلومات‬

Knowledge and utilisation of preconception care and associated factors among women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Women who had at least one or/and more ANC visits presented with good knowledge scores on PCC. Our findings were similar to those conducted in Sudan [ 62 ], and Nigeria [ 63 ]. One potential rationale might be due to ANC visits.…”

Predictors of Women’s awareness of common non-communicable diseases screening during preconception period in Manna District, Southwest Ethiopia: implication for wellness check-up

“…Women who were on ANC follow up were nearly two times more likely to have good awareness of NCDs screening during the preconception period than their counterparts. This finding was similar to studies done in Nigeria, Sudan, and Hawassa city, South Ethiopia [ 53 , 55 , 56 ]. This might be due to the reason that women on ANC follow-up might have a greater chance of getting information about preconception care, as health care providers may ask them about their health status before conception and provide counseling on the current and future pregnancies.…”

Knowledge, attitudes and peer influences related to pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health among adolescents using maternal health services in Ugu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…This was slightly better than the findings of a study conducted in Pakistan, in which only 18.4% of the participants knew of the importance of folic acid for the unborn foetus [28]. A study conducted in Sudan found that only 8.9% of 1000 pregnant women knew that folic acid prevented birth defects [25].…”

“…Anaemia is associated with adverse events in pregnancy and is common among pregnant adolescents. [25]. The participants in the current study demonstrated poor knowledge of the signs and symptoms of anaemia.…”