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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/53789
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Folate awareness and the prevalence of neural tube defects in South Australia, 1966-2007 |
Author: | Chan, A. van Essen, P. Scott, H. Haan, E. Sage, L. Scott, J. Gill, T. Nguyen, A. |
Citation: | Medical Journal of Australia, 2008; 189(10):566-569 |
Publisher: | Australasian Med Publ Co Ltd |
Issue Date: | 2008 |
ISSN: | 0025-729X 1326-5377 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Annabelle C. Chan, Phillipa van Essen, Heather Scott, Eric A. Haan, Leonie Sage, Joan Scott, Tiffany K. Gill and Anh-Minh T. Nguyen |
Abstract: | Objectives: To ascertain changes in: women’s knowledge of the role of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs); intake of folic acid among pregnant women; and prevalence of NTDs in South Australia. Design, setting and participants: Computer-assisted telephone interviews of South Australian households from 1994 to 2007 over a period encompassing a statewide folate promotion campaign (1994–1995), continuing folate promotion, as well as the introduction of voluntary folate fortification of foods (1996); ascertainment of the total prevalence of NTDs from births and terminations of pregnancy from 1966 to 2007. Main outcome measures: Changes in women’s knowledge of the role of folic acid in the prevention of NTDs; changes in the prevalence of NTDs. Results: From 1994 to 2006 and 2007, knowledge about the role of folic acid increased from 25% to 77% (P < 0.001) and knowledge that folic acid needs to be taken in the periconceptional period increased from 12% to 39% (P < 0.001). The proportion of pregnant women who increased their periconceptional intake of folate rose from 61% in 1998 to 81% in 2006 and 2007 (P < 0.001), with significant increases in the consumption of fortified cereals (from 15% to 29%) and folic acid tablets (from 37% to 64%). The total prevalence of NTDs fell from 2.06 per 1000 births in 1986–1990 to 1.23 per 1000 births in 2002–2007 (relative risk, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48–0.74; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Folate promotion and voluntary fortification of certain foods with folic acid were associated with increased awareness of the role of periconceptional folic acid, increased folate consumption and a reduction in the prevalence of NTDs in South Australia by 40% (95% CI, 26%–52%). |
Keywords: | Humans Neural Tube Defects Folic Acid Vitamin B Complex Prenatal Care Health Surveys Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Pregnancy Time Factors Dietary Supplements Food, Fortified Adult South Australia Female |
DOI: | 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb02183.x |
Published version: | http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/189_10_171108/cha10685_fm.html |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest Paediatrics publications |
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