FOLIC ACID INTAKE

Objectives: Study objectives were devised to assess perceptions of womenregarding importance of folic acid intake, to evaluate role of healthcare providers in counselingof women for folic acid intake, to find out association between perceptions of women withfolic acid intake practices and with counseling of healthcare providers. Study Design: A crosssectional survey. Setting: Gynecology and Obstetrics Wards and OPDs of Tertiary Care andTeaching Hospitals of District Rawalpindi. Period: July-December 2016. Methodology: Studyparticipants were approached by using convenient sampling technique and sample size was of271 women of reproductive age. attending gynecology and obstetrics wards and OPDs of tertiarycare and teaching hospitals of district Rawalpindi. After obtaining consent from institutionalreview board, an interview-based questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Results:Out of 271 women of childbearing age, 60% perceived the importance of folic acid intake indiet. The highest counseling contribution was from doctors (57.6%) while evaluation of role ofhealthcare providers was done regarding counseling. Those who had perceived importanceof folic acid had a significant better intake (p = 0.03). There was a significant associationbetween role of healthcare providers and perceptions (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Majority ofwomen perceived importance of folic acid intake and doctors were playing a significant role incounseling of women regarding folic acid intake during pregnancy. Folic acid intake practiceswere significantly influenced by women’s own perceptions and role of healthcare providers wasa very important factor to direct perceptions of women.