A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Folic Acid Supplement Status in Women of Childbearing Age in Dongguan City

Xiao yan Sun*, Bo Chen, Yu-Dong Pu, Xue mei Chen and Lin xiao Han

Received: September 28, 2018;   Published: October 22, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.10.001914

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Abstract

Objective: To understand the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of folic acid supplement status among women of childbearing age in Dongguan city so as to provide evidence for developing a strategy of health education and promotion.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1445 women of childbearing age who sought medicine services in The Third People’s Hospital of Dongguan City with situation of folic acid supplementation.

Results: Among the respondents, 95.54% had heard about of folic acid, 70.59% knew that folic acid was vitamin, 88.47% knew that supplement of folic acid could prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), 86.35% knew the correct frequency, 45.26% knew the recommended daily dose, 78.37% knew the optimum time for taking and 32.35% could take folic acid in right way. Chi square test results showed that age, education, occupation and income were associated with awareness rate of the effects of folic acid (χ2 value was25.03, 103.04, 52.81, 48.53, respectively, all P＜0.05). Education, occupation and income were associated with the correct use of folic acid (χ2 value was 17.90, 7.48, 12.77, respectively, all P＜0.05).

Conclusion: The women of childbearing age in Dongguan city have deep understanding of the knowledge of folic acid supplement, but only a few women of childbearing age could take folic acid in right way. There is a separation between knowledge, attitude and practice. KAP in health education is inefficient. It is necessary to enhance health promotion to provide good social environment and strategy for reducing incidence of NTDs and improving quality of newborns.

Keywords: Folic acid; Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP); Women of childbearing age

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