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 .
Current practice and future interest of GPs and prospective parents in pre-conception care in The Netherlands.
BACKGROUND Evidence for the effectiveness of pre-conception care is growing . GPs are among the possible providers of pre-conception care . OBJECTIVES Our first aim was to investigate current pre-conception care activities of GPs and to determine whether prospect i ve parents would visit the GP in the existing health care system . A further aim was to determine the interest of GPs and prospect i ve parents in the introduction of pre-conception care clinics . METHODS A survey was conducted among 200 GPs and 303 recently married couples ( 606 individuals ) . RESULTS Of the eligible GPs , 52 % ( n = 102 ) participated , as did 70 % ( n = 381 ) of the eligible individuals who are planning a pregnancy . In the current situation , only a few individuals visit their GP pre-conceptionally , and many GPs do not discuss family history or consanguinity with prospect i ve parents . In general , the GPs and prospect i ve parents had a positive attitude towards the introduction of pre-conception care clinics . CONCLUSION Since most GPs and prospect i ve parents favoured the introduction of pre-conception care , future research should focus on the most appropriate way of implementation
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 .