Abstract
BackgroundNeural tube defects are among the most common birth defects, contributing to miscarriage, infant mortality, severe congenital abnormalities and serious disabilities. It is burdensome to patients, caregivers, healthcare systems and society. It could be reduced if women consume a folic acid supplement before and during the early weeks of pregnancy. This study assesses folic acid usage and associated factors for the prevention of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 417 systematically sampled, consented pregnant women that visited Adama hospital medical college for antenatal care during August to November 2014. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics and folic acid usage of women.ResultAbout 48.4% of women took a folic acid supplement at different period of pregnancy; but, only 1.92% of women took the supplement at a protective period against neural tube defects. Age, the early timing of antenatal registration, was a preconception consulted, previous unsuccessful pregnancies and level of folic acid awareness were significantly associated with folic acid usage for prevention of neural tube defects.ConclusionsFolic acid usage during the protective period against neural tube defects among women in Ethiopia is very low, so healthcare plan to improve intake of folic acid is required.
Highlights
Neural tube defects are among the most common birth defects, contributing to miscarriage, infant mortality, severe congenital abnormalities and serious disabilities
Folic acid usage for Neural tube defect (NTD) prevention was significantly associated with advanced age (p value =0.02 and OR = 9.4 with 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.14–76.8), early antenatal registration (p value =0.03 and OR = 0.974 with 95% CI 0.96–0.99), number of antenatal care (ANC) visit (p value = 0.04), consultation during preconception period (p value = 0.000 and OR = 0.063 with 95% CI 0.15 to 0.275), previous history of unsuccessful pregnancies (p value = 0.04 and OR = 4.3 with 95% CI 1.1 to 17) and level of folic acid awareness (p value = 0.00)
The present study provides some insight into the practice of women for usage of folic acid for prevention of neural tube defects
Summary
Neural tube defects are among the most common birth defects, contributing to miscarriage, infant mortality, severe congenital abnormalities and serious disabilities. It is burdensome to patients, caregivers, healthcare systems and society It could be reduced if women consume a folic acid supplement before and during the early weeks of pregnancy. This study assesses folic acid usage and associated factors for the prevention of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Ethiopia. NTDs are contributing to miscarriage, infant mortality, severe congenital abnormalities and serious disabilities and are the second most common congenital anomaly [3, 5]. A study conducted in Ethiopia reported that hydrocephalus (35.5%) and neural tube defects (27.5%) were the major leading causes of admission to hospitals for surgical procedures among children [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
