Author/Authors :
Al-Hossani, H. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Abouzeid, H. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Salah, M.M. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Farag, H.M. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Fawzy, E. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates
Abstract :
This study assessed the knowledge and practices about folic acid in pregnancy among pregnant women attending 2 main maternal and child health centres in Abu Dhabi. The majority of the 277 interviewed mothers (79.1%) had heard of folic acid and 46.6% had accurate knowledge about the role of folate in preventing neural tube defects. There were good practices regarding folate supplementation in the current pregnancy; most of the interviewed mothers took it daily and in the recommended dose. However, only a minority took it prior to pregnancy. Education, irrespective of age or parity, was the major factor determining better knowledge of folic acid in pregnancy.
