How effective was the Health Education Authority's folic acid campaign?

Sillender, Mark; Pring, D. W.

doi:10.1080/01443610050009593

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In general, folic acid consumption rose between 12.4 36 and 25.3% after public health campaigns. 32 Nevertheless, the percentage of women taking periconceptional folic acid as prescribed ranged from 13 to 57%.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This suggests >43% of women were not taking folic acid as prescribed after campaigns ceased. 32,33,36,38–41,57 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…36,40 One study found that participants who had heard of folic acid before (awareness) were more likely to believe in its benefits than those who had not. 56 Patient knowledge was also linked to beliefs, which ultimately influenced consumption.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the exception of one US study, <50% of women could correctly cite the types of food containing folic acid, and generally <50% of women of child-bearing age were actually taking folic acid. 33,36,38,57 To summarize, these campaigns usually changed the knowledge and behavior of less than half the target population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Factors contributing to the success of folic acid public health campaigns

Rofail

Colligs

Abetz

et al. 2011

Journal of Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundStudies in the 1990s have found that periconceptional dietary folate, supplementation of folic acid or supplemental multivitamins containing folic acid, help prevent neural tube defect (NTDs) if taken at the right time. This literature review assesses the extant folic acid public health campaigns literature and identifies some common variables used in folic acid consumption campaign evaluations.MethodsThis review was part of a larger study that searched PUBMED, PsycINFO and Embase from 1976 to 2010 to identify articles related to the psychosocial and economic impact of NTDs (especially spina bifida) on patients and caregivers.ResultsAwareness of folic acid levels prior to conception improved post-campaign from 6 to 41%. Knowledge about consumption and correct periconceptional use of folic acid also improved. However, in most studies more than 50% of women did not take folic acid as prescribed. Many factors were associated with or without taking folic acid post-campaign, including incomplete outreach, prior awareness and knowledge, closeness to pregnancy, demographics and other personal characteristics.ConclusionsSustained campaigning to maintain awareness about and promote periconceptional consumption of folic acid in order to reduce the incidence of NTDs is clearly needed. Additional initiatives could complement existing public health strategies.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This suggests >43% of women were not taking folic acid as prescribed after campaigns ceased. 32,33,36,38–41,57 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Factors contributing to the success of folic acid public health campaigns

Rofail

Colligs

Abetz

et al. 2011

Journal of Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, low concentrations of dietary and circulating folate during pregnancy are associated with increased risks of preterm delivery, infant low birth weight, and foetal growth retardation [ 19 ]. However, although awareness of the importance of folic acid has increased significantly over recent years, the number of women taking folic acid prior to conception remains very low [ 20 , 21 ] with global preconception use estimated to be less than 50% [ 22 ]. This is compounded by the fact that half of pregnancies are unplanned, and as a consequence, the point at which folic acid is most protective against neural tube defects (from preconception until the fourth week of pregnancy) may have occurred before the woman realizes she is pregnant [ 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Folate and Selenium in the Mouse Maternal Diet Alters Liver Gene Expression Patterns in the Offspring after Weaning

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During pregnancy, selenium (Se) and folate requirements increase, with deficiencies linked to neural tube defects (folate) and DNA oxidation (Se). This study investigated the effect of a high-fat diet either supplemented with (diet H), or marginally deficient in (diet L), Se and folate. Pregnant female mice and their male offspring were assigned to one of four treatments: diet H during gestation, lactation and post-weaning; diet L during gestation, lactation and post-weaning; diet H during gestation and lactation but diet L fed to offspring post-weaning; or diet L during gestation and lactation followed by diet H fed to offspring post-weaning. Microarray and pathway analyses were performed using RNA from colon and liver of 12-week-old male offspring. Gene set enrichment analysis of liver gene expression showed that diet L affected several pathways including regulation of translation (protein biosynthesis), methyl group metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism; this effect was stronger when the diet was fed to mothers, rather than to offspring. No significant differences in individual gene expression were observed in colon but there were significant differences in cell cycle control pathways. In conclusion, a maternal low Se/folate diet during gestation and lactation has more effects on gene expression in offspring than the same diet fed to offspring post-weaning; low Se and folate in utero and during lactation thus has persistent metabolic effects in the offspring.

show abstract

Association Between Health Beliefs and Health Behavior in Early Pregnancy

Bödecs

Horváth

Szilágyi

et al. 2010

Matern Child Health J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Folate-supplementation significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The aim of this research was to reveal associations between health beliefs and folate -supplementation as well as other elements of health behavior among Hungarian women early in their pregnancy. Three-hundred and seven women in early pregnancy completed the second part of Health and Illness Scale. Factor structure of health beliefs was established and associations of factors with pregnancy planning, folate-intake, vitamin-intake, smoking-habits and alcohol-consumption were tested. A six factor health model was formulated; the factor named 'mental capacities and abilities' was associated with greater chance on folate-intake, vitamin-intake and prepared pregnancy, as well as a reduced chance of smoking. The factors 'destiny', 'measures aiming at prevention', and 'relatives and acquaintances' related to lower chance on folate-intake. The health belief factor representing Internal Health Locus of Control was associated with more than one component of healthy behavior, while factors of external dimensions (Powerful Others Health Locus of Control and Chance Health Locus of Control) were predictive on unhealthy behavioral tendencies. New approaches aiming to shift one's health beliefs and health locus of control from external causes to internal dimensions are needed in order to reach greater openness towards health-improving interventions.

show abstract

How effective was the Health Education Authority's folic acid campaign?

Cited by 17 publications

References 24 publications

Factors contributing to the success of folic acid public health campaigns

Factors contributing to the success of folic acid public health campaigns

Low Folate and Selenium in the Mouse Maternal Diet Alters Liver Gene Expression Patterns in the Offspring after Weaning

Association Between Health Beliefs and Health Behavior in Early Pregnancy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About