| 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 Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical sciences, Pondicherry during May-June 2019. we
collected self- reported data regarding socio- demographic characteristics number of prenatal checkups and the use of folic
acid during pregnancy. 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.ddd |
