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 .
Addressing preconception risks identified at the time of a negative pregnancy test. A randomized trial.
BACKGROUND A preconception care program has the potential to assist women who want to become pregnant by advising these women about risk factors , healthy lifestyles , and assessing readiness for pregnancy . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial to determine whether comprehensive preconception risk assessment at the time of a negative pregnancy test followed by referral to primary care services is effective in initiating treatment for women with preconception risk factors . METHODS One hundred seventy women were offered preconception risk assessment following a negative pregnancy test . Women were assigned r and omly either to a usual care group or an intervention group . Women in the latter group were informed about the risks identified and received an appointment with a primary care clinician who was also informed . Women in the usual care group and their clinicians received no feedback . All charts were review ed and the women were contacted by telephone to determine if interventions to reduce risk were offered by clinicians during the year following the assessment . RESULTS An average of 8.96 risks were identified per woman . The proportion of women having risks in each of 12 risk categories studied ranged from 19 % to 71 % . One hundred women ( 59 % ) made at least one visit during the subsequent year , thus allowing the opportunity for preconception care . The proportion of these women who had a risk addressed ranged from 18 % for psychosocial risks to 48 % for those with fetal exposures ( smoking , alcohol , and drug use ) . There was no difference between groups in the percentage of risks addressed . CONCLUSIONS The notification of women and their clinicians of identified preconception risks did not improve intervention rates . A more organized intervention system including office-based protocol s is needed
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 .