Puerto Rican primary physicians' knowledge about folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defects

Abstract

Despite a concerted effort by the Health Department of Puerto Rico to provide education in the importance of folic acid supplementation to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, primary physicians in two Puerto Rican hospitals generally have not availed themselves of this training and showed a lack of knowledge on this important clinical issue.

Chilean primary health workers' knowledge about folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defects

“…This is the first study concerning this topic in Chile, but results coincide with studies carried out in 1997 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where lack of knowledge about benefits of FA was observed among health service providers [Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999]. Also, a large number of Puerto Rican health workers were unaware of the recommended daily dose of FA supplementation [Miranda et al, 2003].…”

“…Previous experiences in other countries have demonstrated lower levels of physicians trained by their Health Departments, Miranda et al [2003] reported that only 13.2% of their interviewees had attended the training offered by the state although it has been offered for 7 years in Puerto Rico.…”

Primary Prevention of Neural Tube Defects

“…Only 14% of physicians in this study had correct knowledge of the appropriate dosages and timing for folate supplements and only 17% of all contacted physicians recommended folate to any women of childbearing age. In Puerto Rico, 88% of primary care physicians demonstrated an inadequate knowledge about folic acid supplements with older physicians and women physicians demonstrating greater knowledge than other physicians in the study (Mirinda et al, 2003). In Israel, 2 studies evaluated physicians' knowledge and practice concerning folic acid.…”

O preparo pré-concepcional entre mulheres com gravidez planejada

“…Na perspectiva dos profissionais de saúde, pesquisas encontradas observaram também baixo nível de conhecimento sobre os cuidados pré-concepcionais e, em específico, sobre a suplementação de ácido fólico entre profissionais de saúde (Conway, Mason, Hu, 1994;Koren, 1997;Miranda, Dávila Torres, Gorrín Peralta, 2003;Abu-Hammad et al, 2008;Stephenson et al, 2014), possível reflexo da falta de formação e/ou capacitação no tocante ao cuidado pré-concepcional (Conway, Mason, Hu, 1994;Kitamura, Fetters, Ban, 2005;Abu-Hammad et al, 2008). Outro ponto em questão é que nem sempre está claro qual profissional é o responsável por essa ação (Mazza, Chapman, Michie, 2013;Stephenson et al, 2014).…”

“…Em contextos de escassa atenção ao período pré-concepcional, como é o caso do Brasil, parece que a oferta do mesmo limita-se à atuação isolada do profissional de saúde, ou seja, independe da estrutura oferecida pelo serviço ou pelas redes de atenção. No entanto, pesquisas mostram que há baixo nível de conhecimento sobre os cuidados pré-concepcionais e sobre a suplementação de ácido fólico entre os próprios profissionais de saúde (Conway, Mason, Hu, 1994;Koren, 1997;Miranda, Dávila Torres, Gorrín Peralta, 2003;Abu-Hammad et al, 2008;).…”