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Periconceptional folic acid use among women giving birth at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin
Author(s) -
DOBSON Isla,
DEVENISH Celia,
SKEAFF C. Murray,
GREEN Tim J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2006.00655.x
Subject(s) - folic acid , pregnancy , medicine , folic acid supplementation , obstetrics , christian ministry , neural tube defect , gestation , fertility , public health , pediatrics , gynecology , environmental health , population , fetus , nursing , philosophy , genetics , theology , biology
Background: The New Zealand Ministry of Health advises that all women planning a pregnancy take a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of having a neural tube defect (NTD)‐affected pregnancy. There is little information available to determine if women are following this advice. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine periconceptional folic acid use among women in the postnatal ward of Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to women in the postnatal ward between 14 November and 22 December 2004. Results: One hundred and six women were interviewed during the study period. Forty women (39%) used folic acid supplements before conception. Sixty‐seven women (64%) planned their pregnancy. The proportion of women ( P < 0.001) who planned their pregnancy (53%) and used folic acid before conception was higher than those who did not (11%). The proportion of women 30 years of age (55%) who took folic acid supplements before conception was higher than women aged 17 to < 25 years (10%). Conclusion: Despite a lack of a public health campaign in New Zealand, a high proportion of participants, especially those who planned their pregnancy, took folic acid during the periconceptional period. A comprehensive public health campaign is needed to increase folic acid use. Fortification may be required to reach those women who do not plan their pregnancies.