Pregnant Women's Awareness, Intention and Compliance regarding Folic Acid Usage for Prevention of Neural Tube Defects According to Health Belief Model in Beni-Suef City

Research Abstract

Background: Folic acid fortification to reduce NTDs, such as spina bifida and anencephaly as well as congenital heart disease, is considered one of the most successful public health initiatives in the past 50-75 years. No representative data about folate intake are available for Egypt. Despite, if FA guideline is followed, an estimated 50-80% of NTDs could be prevented, compliance with this guidance is sub optimal among women of childbearing age in Egypt. Aim: Estimate the true prevalence of awareness, intention & compliance regarding FA intake, according to the health belief model in the Beni-Suef city. Subject and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study in antenatal care units which affiliates to five settings in Beni-Suef city with a total of 500 pregnant women by using a structured interview questionnaire. Results: The great majority of the studied women had intention to follow a high Folate diet, only 3.6% had adequately used FA. Highly statistically significant difference between women's knowledge and their compliance with FA, HBM total score positively affects the studied women's intention to follow a high Folate diet. Conclusion: Lower reports of FA used before pregnancy as revealed by this study could serve as a good indicator for the need for improvements in Egyptian health organizations.

Research Keywords

Intention - Compliance - Folic Acid - Neural Tube Defects - Health Belief Model.