OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge about the prophylaxis of neural tube defects (NTD) with supplements of folic acid and the correct therapeutic compliance. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS: 346 pregnant women attending to deliver at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, university hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following outcomes were gathered through a questionnaire: demographic variables, previous personal or family history of a pregnancy affected by a NTD, planning of pregnancy, knowledge about the value of the use of folic acid, health professional who prescribed it, and the beginning and duration of the prophylaxis. RESULTS: 95% of the participants used supplements of folic acid during their pregnancy. A 34% was able to describe folic acid as an efficacious method to diminish the incidence of NTD. The percentage of women who used correctly the prophylaxis was significantly greater when it was prescribed by a family physician (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: A great proportion of women from our health district take folic acid during pregnancy, but just a small percent accomplishes the treatment correctly. The lack of awareness among women about the need for periconceptional folic acid supplements and how it should be taken following the recommendations to prevent NTD are the main reasons for not accomplishing a correct prophylaxis. Family physicians could play an important role as health educators.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge about the prophylaxis of neural tube defects (NTD) with supplements of folic acid and the correct therapeutic compliance. DESIGN: Observational, descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS: 346 pregnant women attending to deliver at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, university hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following outcomes were gathered through a questionnaire: demographic variables, previous personal or family history of a pregnancy affected by a NTD, planning of pregnancy, knowledge about the value of the use of folic acid, health professional who prescribed it, and the beginning and duration of the prophylaxis. RESULTS: 95% of the participants used supplements of folic acid during their pregnancy. A 34% was able to describe folic acid as an efficacious method to diminish the incidence of NTD. The percentage of women who used correctly the prophylaxis was significantly greater when it was prescribed by a family physician (P=.003). CONCLUSIONS: A great proportion of women from our health district take folic acid during pregnancy, but just a small percent accomplishes the treatment correctly. The lack of awareness among women about the need for periconceptional folic acid supplements and how it should be taken following the recommendations to prevent NTD are the main reasons for not accomplishing a correct prophylaxis. Family physicians could play an important role as health educators.