Impact of education on knowledge and use of folic acid among Saudi women

Objectives:To assess the knowledge and practice of folic acid intake and its associated factors in women aged 18 - 60 years.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By using systematic sampling 4000 women were selected from different clinics.Results:�Out of 4000 women, 3702 (92%) responded. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 38.6 (11.8) years. University level education status was observed in 32.9% of women. About 79.7% of study subjects were married. The distribution of parity was primigravida (17%), multigravida (44.5%) and grandmultipara (38.5%). About 58% of study subjects responded that they know about folic acid. A statistically significant association was observed between educational status of subjects and their responses related to benefits of folic acid and its presence in different types of diet. About 31.5% of married subjects were aware of need of pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation and 51.6% of them had received folic acid supplementation during their pregnancies. The sources of information for folic acid were doctor, nurse, internet, media, friends and family members.Conclusion:�Educational status of Saudi women was having positive impact on Knowledge �and usage of �folic acid. Measures could be taken to improve its usage in women of childbearing age by providing pre conception counseling at regular intervals by health care providers