@Article{, title={Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Among Pregnant Women’s Towards Folic Acid Intake During Pregnancy in a Sample of Women Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Babylon Province}, author={Zahraa A. Sadiq and Hanan K. Hussein}, journal={Medical Journal of Babylon مجلة بابل الطبية}, volume={19}, number={2}, pages={142-151}, year={2022}, abstract={Background: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is one of the important vitamins required for embryonic growth and development, as well aspreventing the occurrence of congenital malformations, which are a major health concern in developing countries and around theworld because they have a direct impact on the affected babies, their families, and the community. Objectives: To assess the knowledgeand attitudes of pregnant women toward folic acid intake throughout pregnancy in a sample of women in Babylon Governorate andto assess the association of knowledge, attitude of folic acid with certain sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. Methods:A cross-sectional interview-based study targeting a convenient sample of 265 pregnant women who attended antenatal care unitof five PHCCs in Babylon Governorate/Iraq during a period of three months (from April 1 to July 1, 2021). The respondents wereinterviewed with a pretested questionnaire, that includes data related to sociodemographic and obstetric history, seven questionsrelated to pregnants’ knowledge, and five questions related to pregnant attitudes toward the importance of folic acid intake duringpregnancy. Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 26. Results: 265 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The result found that themean (±standard deviation) age was 26.5 (±5.7) years where 58.1% (154) of women were in the age group of 20–29 years and two-thirdof participants were a resident in urban areas. In addition, 54.5% (144) of women had college and postgraduate education, housewivesconsisted 51% (134) of the sample, and 45 were employed; only 26 (9.8%) pregnant women were not hearing about folic acid intakeduring pregnancy. The major source of hearing was doctors. 44.8% (107) of participants had fair level of knowledge; knowledge scorewas significantly associated with age, residency, and occupation of pregnant women (P ≤ 0.05); knowledge score had no significantassociation with educational level, parity, history of abortion and stillbirth, or having children with congenital anomalies. 75 (31.4%)mothers had negative attitude toward using folic acid during pregnancy. Pregnant attitude toward folic acid supplements had noassociation with sociodemographic and obstetrical history. There was a positive moderate linear correlation between the mother’sknowledge and attitude (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study found that pregnant women had a fair and good knowledgeabout using folic acid during pregnancy. In addition, most pregnant women have a positive attitude.

} }