IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 41 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog17962014

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
Folic acid and neural tube defects: are Jordanian pregnant women aware?
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1 Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jordan, Amman
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Medical Services, Amman
3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman (Jordan)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2014, 41(6), 647–653; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog17962014
Published: 10 December 2014
Abstract

Objectives: To assess Jordanian pregnant women’s awareness of folic acid and its contribution to neural tube defects (NTDs) prevention and to their folic acid intake. Materials and Methods: One thousand pregnant women were interviewed about their knowledge of folic acid for NTDs prevention and their folic acid intake using a questionnaire. Results: Of 1,000 women surveyed, 93.4% reported hearing of folic acid and 30.3% of NTDs. Only 16.2% knew that folic acid can reduce NTDs risk; 42.0% of those aware of folic acid believed it should be taken periconceptionally but only 16.9% did so. The most common information sources on folic acid were physicians (82.8%). Conclusions: Whereas a large percentage of pregnant Jordanian women were aware of folic acid, only a small proportion are aware that it prevents NTDs and should be taken periconceptionally. Also, there was a gap between awareness, knowledge, and intake of folic acid. Awareness and knowledge of NTDs was less prevalent among Jordanian women. Despite the efforts that have been undertaken, further effort is required to educate Jordanian women about folic acid contribution to NTDs prevention.
Keywords
Folic acid
Jordan
NTDs prevention
Periconceptional
Trimester
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