Periconceptional folic acid use among women giving birth at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin

  1. Isla DOBSON1,
  2. Celia DEVENISH1,
  3. C. Murray SKEAFF2,
  4. Tim J. GREEN2

Article first published online: 14 NOV 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2006.00655.x

Issue

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Volume 46, Issue 6, pages 534–537, December 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

DOBSON, I., DEVENISH, C., SKEAFF, C. M. and GREEN, T. J. (2006), Periconceptional folic acid use among women giving birth at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 46: 534–537. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2006.00655.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Women's and Children's Health and

  2. 2

    Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

* : Dr Tim Green, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. Email: tim.green@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 NOV 2006
  2. Article first published online: 14 NOV 2006
  3. DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2006.00655.x; Received 15 August 2006; accepted 17 August 2006.

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Keywords:

  • dietary supplements;
  • folic acid;
  • neural tube defect;
  • periconceptional;
  • pregnancy

Abstract

Background:  The New Zealand Ministry of Health advises that all women planning a pregnancy take a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of having a neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancy. There is little information available to determine if women are following this advice.

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to determine periconceptional folic acid use among women in the postnatal ward of Queen Mary Maternity Hospital in Dunedin.

Methods:  A questionnaire was administered to women in the postnatal ward between 14 November and 22 December 2004.

Results:  One hundred and six women were interviewed during the study period. Forty women (39%) used folic acid supplements before conception. Sixty-seven women (64%) planned their pregnancy. The proportion of women (P < 0.001) who planned their pregnancy (53%) and used folic acid before conception was higher than those who did not (11%). The proportion of women  30 years of age (55%) who took folic acid supplements before conception was higher than women aged 17 to < 25 years (10%).

Conclusion:  Despite a lack of a public health campaign in New Zealand, a high proportion of participants, especially those who planned their pregnancy, took folic acid during the periconceptional period. A comprehensive public health campaign is needed to increase folic acid use. Fortification may be required to reach those women who do not plan their pregnancies.

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