Evaluation of the level of awareness of the role of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects amongst women of reproductive age in a tertiary health institution.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects are major cause of infant mortality and disability. Their occurrence has been linked to folate deficiency during pregnancy. Periconceptional use of folate has been shown to significantly reduce their incidence. Awareness of this relationship is key to adopting appropriate measures to prevent them. This study was carried out to assess the level of this awareness among reproductive-age female employees in a tertiary hospital.
METHODOLOGY: Questionnaires designed to assess respondents' knowledge about neural tube defects and folic acid were completed by women of child-bearing age working in various departments of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Data were collated and analysed by a third party who had no knowledge of the respondents.
RESULTS: 94.4% of the respondents had some knowledge about folic acid. 29.6% knew something about neural tube defects. 24.1% were aware that folate has a beneficial role in their prevention. 70.4% said they would not take it daily if they were not pregnant.
CONCLUSION: The level of awareness about the role of folate in prevention of neural tube defects among respondents in this study is low; and thus there is poor response to suggestions regarding its periconceptional use. There is need to enhance this awareness to ensure that populations at risk benefit from research on the subject.