Folic Acid Use in Planned Pregnancy: An Italian Survey

Abstract

It is well known that periconceptional folic acid supplementation decreases the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of women with planned pregnancies regarding periconceptional folic acid intake and to identify factors associated with the use of this supplement. During 2 years of observation, we surveyed women with planned pregnancies who called our Teratology Information Service. A total of 500 women were surveyed: 217 (43.4%) took folic acid before becoming pregnant, and 283 (56.6%) did not take it. The women who took folic acid before becoming pregnant had a high education level and received preconception counselling. Our results suggest that less than half of Italian women took folic acid before they became pregnant although they were trying to conceive. Knowledge about the benefits of this vitamin is inadequate also among women who planned the pregnancy and the level of information received from their physicians.

Preconception health behaviors associated with pregnancy planning status among Brazilian women

“…Despite the importance of completing preconception health behaviors for the promotion of maternal and child health (1) , studies show that it is still not frequent (2)(3)(4)(5) , mainly because of its close relationship to pregnancy planning. Women who plan their pregnancies are more likely to have preconception health behaviors (6)(7)(8) , although not all of them take any action whatsoever to prepare for pregnancy (2)(3)(4)9) . Other non-individual aspects may determine the adoption of preconception health behaviors, like health services organization (10) and the lack of awareness of health professionals (5) and women themselves (11)(12) about its importance.…”

“…Other non-individual aspects may determine the adoption of preconception health behaviors, like health services organization (10) and the lack of awareness of health professionals (5) and women themselves (11)(12) about its importance. From an individual point of view, schooling, marital status, and reproductive experience are also key factors on the uptake of preconception care (9) . Most of the studies conducted on preconception health behaviors were carried out in countries with high proportions of planned pregnancies and an adequate supply of preconception care (2)(3)(4)9) .…”

“…From an individual point of view, schooling, marital status, and reproductive experience are also key factors on the uptake of preconception care (9) . Most of the studies conducted on preconception health behaviors were carried out in countries with high proportions of planned pregnancies and an adequate supply of preconception care (2)(3)(4)9) . Little is known about its prevalence in countries like Brazil, where the proportion of planned pregnancies is still low (13) and the provision of this service is fledgling.…”

Gender Differences in Awareness of Preconception Care and Pregnancy

“…조동숙 · 김은정 · 전은미 記諺解)에 기술하고 있다 (Lee, 2011) 수태 전부터 복용한 것으로 나타났으며 (Santis et al, 2013), 호주 가임여성도 엽산 복용량, 복용 시기, 장점에 대하여 혼돈 하고 있어 (Mazza & Chapman, 2010), 수태 전 간호는 가족 건강을 증진하는 것에 목적이 있다 (Atrash et al, 2008) …”

O preparo pré-concepcional entre mulheres com gravidez planejada

“…De fato, o preparo pré-concepcional só pode ocorrer na medida em que a gravidez é planejada. No entanto, dentre as mulheres que planejam a gravidez, nem todas realizam o preparo pré-concepcional (Rosenberg, Gelow, Sandoval, 2003;Green-Raleigh et al, 2005;Inskip et al, 2009;Chuang et al, 2011;De Santis et al, 2013;Backhausen et al, 2014;Luton et al, 2014;Stephenson et al, 2014 (Rosenberg, Gelow, Sandoval, 2003;Backhausen et al, 2014;Luton et al, 2014;Stephenson et al, 2014). Dentre esses estudos, na Dinamarca, pouco mais da metade das mulheres com gravidez planejada consumiram ácido fólico no período pré-concepcional (57,0%) e apenas 8,0% pararam de fumar antes da concepção (Backhausen et al, 2014).…”