| Women in many countries are advised to use folic acid supplements before and early during pregnancy to reduce the risk of
neural tube defects in their infants. This study aimed to update the prevalence and to identify possible determinants of
preconception folic acid supplement use in Indian women. We conducted a cross- sectional study on a sample of 1000
womens who were seen in the medical college. we collected self- reported data regarding socio- demographic
characteristics number of prenatal checkups and the use of folic acid during pregnance. Preconception folic acid use was
reported by 23.5 % (n?=?515) of the participants. Of these, 479 (93 %) women had taken folic acid supplements on a daily
basis as recommended by the health authorities. Women who both had intended their pregnancy and had requested a
preconception health visit to a doctor/gynecologist were substantially more likely than the reference group to initiate folic
acid supplementation before their pregnancy (48.6 versus 4.8 %). Preconception folic acid use was also associated with
higher maternal age, higher education, marriage/cohabitation, lower parity, infertility treatments, and chronic disease.Data
from seven maternity clinics located in six Indian regions indicate that preconception folic acid supplement use in many
Indian women is low. Women who do not plan their pregnancy or do not request a preconception health visit to their doctor
have among the lowest prevalence of preconception folic acid use. Improving folate status in these and other supplemental
non-users may have important disease preventive effects[1]ddd |
