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 .
Neural tube defects: knowledge and preconceptional prevention practices in minority young women.
OBJECTIVE To assess 1 ) knowledge of neural tube defect ( NTD ) prevention by folic acid , 2 ) frequency of intake of multivitamins and folate- and folic acid-fortified food , and 3 ) factors associated with knowledge and prevention practice s among sexually active minority adolescent and young adult women . METHODS Young minority women were enrolled in a folic acid program at 3 urban Houston , Texas , reproductive health clinics and assessed for NTD knowledge and preventive practice s. A 3-month supply of multivitamins was also dispensed at enrollment . A 3-month program follow-up survey of a r and omly selected sample at 2 sites was conducted . RESULTS Of 387 women ( mean age : 18 + /- 1.9 years ) , 72 % were black and 28 % were Hispanic . At enrollment , clinics were a major source of information of NTD prevention ( 44 % ) ; 52 % had heard of folic acid , 45 % had heard of NTDs , and 50 % had heard of birth defects prevention by multivitamins . Significantly more Hispanic than black young women had heard of NTDs ( 59 % vs 39 % ) . Pregnancy history , regular birth control use , and education level for age were independently associated with knowledge . In young women with low education level for age , regular birth control use was significantly associated with knowledge . At enrollment , daily multivitamin intake was very low ( 9 % ) and folate-rich foods were consumed in inadequate amounts . Adequate folate diet was not associated with knowledge . The program follow-up survey indicated that 88 % to 92 % had knowledge of NTDs and folic acid , and 67 % reported taking a daily multivitamin . CONCLUSIONS Publicly funded clinics may be the only source of information on NTD prevention for many minority young women . Preliminary evidence suggests that a promotion program improves knowledge , and dispensing of multivitamins increases multivitamin use . However , clinicians in such programs need to reinforce daily adherence to multivitamins in young women
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 .