Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding folic acid among pregnant women in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Periconceptional folic acid supplementation has been shown to decrease the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTD’s). In a cross-sectional study, the knowledge attitude and practice regarding the peri-conceptional use of folic acid were assessed among the pregnant women in Benghazi, Libya. 131 women attending antenatal clinics in three main polyclinics were interviewed through three polyclinics. Seventy-three percent of the participants had heard about folic acid, and only 37% could correctly identify the effect of folic acid when used periconceptionally. 27% of the pregnant women did not take folic acid during their present pregnancy. Only 6% of the women who took folic acid were taking it consistently before pregnancy with the aim of preventing NTDs. This study shows that the interviewed pregnant women reveal high positive attitude (88%) toward retaking folic acid supplements in their next pregnancy. The overall knowledge regarding the periconceptional use of folic acid was relatively low when compared to other studies worldwide. Health education regarding the periconceptional use of folic acid among newly married couples is recommended.