There were factors that are particularly associated with lower rates of use of folic acid supplements .
One of the most important of these is the link with unintended pregnancy , followed by age , socio-economic and ethnic group .
Integrated campaigns can increase the use of folic acid supplements to some extent .
Research trials indicated that : ( i ) printed re sources and the mass media used in isolation are not effective in the longer term ; and ( ii ) health-care-based initiatives can be effective and are more likely to be successful if they include making supplements easily available .
Campaigns and interventions have the potential to exacerbate socio-economic inequalities in folic acid use .
However , even high- quality campaigns that increase use result in under half of women in the target group taking supplements
OBJECTIVE To provide a basis for making recommendations on the potential to improve use of folic acid supplements in the UK , particularly among low-income and young women .
Maternal knowledge, attitude and practice regarding folic acid intake during the periconceptional period.
OBJECTIVE To study the knowledge , attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding  periconceptional folic acid ( FA ) intake . DESIGN Question naire-based prospect i ve study . SETTING Antenatal clinic of a District General Hospital . SUBJECTS Three-hundred pregnant women in an antenatal clinic . RESULTS Nearly all ( 298/300 ) had heard of FA . A majority ( 275/300 , 91 % ) knew that FA could prevent neural tube defects , and married women those with higher education those of Social Classes 1 - 3 and women over 30 years of age were more likely to be thus aware . Knowledge about the correct timing of FA intake was seen in 76 % and was more likely in those with higher education married women and women age over 30 years Intake of FA  in the periconceptional period was seen in 134/300 ( 44.6 % ) women and was most likely in the married , Social Classes 1 - 3 , women with higher education ( all P<0.001 ) , non-smokers women with a planned pregnancy and women aged 30 years and over CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of the correct timing of FA intake was present in only 76 % . Less than half ( 44.6 % ) had taken FA in the periconceptional period , and this was far more common in the more ' privileged ' classes . Low socio-economic status , age less than 30 years , lower educational status and unplanned pregnancy were high risk factors for not taking FA . The challenge to the medical profession for targeting this group can not be over-emphasised
There were factors that are particularly associated with lower rates of use of folic acid supplements .
One of the most important of these is the link with unintended pregnancy , followed by age , socio-economic and ethnic group .
Integrated campaigns can increase the use of folic acid supplements to some extent .
Research trials indicated that : ( i ) printed re sources and the mass media used in isolation are not effective in the longer term ; and ( ii ) health-care-based initiatives can be effective and are more likely to be successful if they include making supplements easily available .
Campaigns and interventions have the potential to exacerbate socio-economic inequalities in folic acid use .
However , even high- quality campaigns that increase use result in under half of women in the target group taking supplements
OBJECTIVE To provide a basis for making recommendations on the potential to improve use of folic acid supplements in the UK , particularly among low-income and young women .