Knowledge on preconceptional folic acid supplementation and intention to seek for preconception care among men and women in an urban city: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundTo study the knowledge of a large city population on preconception folic acid supplementation and intention to seek for preconception care within an urban perinatal health program.MethodsCross-sectional surveys run in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2007 and annually from 2009 to 2014. A random sample of residents aged between 16 and 85 years was taken each year from the municipal population register. Bivariate analysis, interaction analysis, trend analysis and logistic regression were performed.ResultsKnowledge on preconceptional folic acid supplementation significantly improved (+20 %) between 2007 and 2009, and the intention to consult a GP or midwife in the preconception period significantly increased (+53 %) from 2007 to 2012. Logistic regression analyses showed that low socio-economic status was significantly associated with low preconceptional folic acid knowledge, but with higher intention to seek out preconception care. An interaction effect was found between educational level and ethnicity, showing that the higher the educational level the lower the gap of level of knowledge between the different ethnic groups.ConclusionDespite campaigns about folic acid supplementation knowledge on this supplement remains low. The intention amongst men and women to seek out preconception care is still insufficient. Structural interventions to increase and maintain awareness on folic acid supplementation, especially among high-risk groups, are needed.

Women’s Awareness and Associated Factors on Preconception Folic Acid Supplementation in Adet, Northwestern Ethiopia, 2016: Implication of Reproductive Health

“…The finding of this study is in line with studies done in Lebanon [24], the Netherlands [25], China [29], and France [31]. This is probably due to the fact that women who have a high income may have communication media and they may access information regarding folic acid.…”

“…Women who had primary school education, secondary school education, and college and above were 3.9, 4, and 4.8 times more likely had good awareness on preconception folic acid supplementation than women who had no formal education, respectively (AOR 3.94, CI 2.56–4.78; AOR 4.05, CI 2.79–6.94; and AOR 4.77, CI 1.85–6.98). This finding agrees with studies done in Nigeria, Lebanon, the Netherlands, China, and Pakistan [24, 25, 27–29]. The association may be explained by the fact that when individuals are being educated, they can easily read and understand information regarding folic acid and educated women might have interest to read, listen, and watch any information sources.…”

“…The result of this study is lower than those of many studies conducted in developed countries like Canada (81%) [23], Lebanon (71.9%) [24], the Netherlands (57.3%) [25], China (34.6%) [29], and Nigeria (25.5%) [28]. This difference may be due to the study population difference, in which previous studies were done among pregnant women, whereas this study was carried out in all reproductive age group women.…”

The effect of a local promotional campaign on preconceptional lifestyle changes and the use of preconception care

“…Williams et al [30] used the United States population-based surveillance system (PRAMS) to measure PCC uptake, which was associated with daily prepregnancy multivitamin consumption and alcohol cessation prior to pregnancy. Several studies have shown that large media campaigns are not always effective in promoting changes in preconceptional lifestyle [31][32][33][34]. Increased awareness and behavioural change both require long-term efforts and are best served by a mix of interventions on the individual and community level delivered over a long period of time [35].…”

Developing social marketed individual preconception care consultations: Which consumer preferences should it meet?

“…Perceptions about preconception care have been assessed in numerous studies. Regarding the “ product,” the general misconception of the need and perceived benefits of preparing for a healthy pregnancy has been acknowledged as the primary challenge to overcome in the delivery of preconception care . The need to address fertility and psychosocial aspects of parenting during PCC is in line with reported low knowledge about fertility (e.g.…”