Folic Acid Trends: Changes in Knowledge, Opinions, and Use During Pregnancy Reported by Postpartum Women in the United States, 2004-2021
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
7
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
KariLynn Dowling-McClay
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Pharmacy Practice
Competition Type
Non-Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
The CDC recommends all women of reproductive age take 400 mcg of folic acid per day as it is essential for healthy fetal development, primarily in the first trimester when there may be a delay before pregnancy status is known. Even though the folic acid recommendation is widely known in the healthcare community, this knowledge may not be consistently passed on to individuals in the general population. To assess folic acid practices in the U.S., a secondary analysis of the CDC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) was conducted. Datasets from four PRAMS phases spanning 2004 to 2021 were filtered to questions surrounding folic acid knowledge, opinions, and use. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and chi-square for categorical comparisons, were calculated in IBM SPSS 29 with Complex Samples Add-On to apply sampling weights for calculation of population estimates. A subgroup analysis based on respondents’ state of residence was performed to detect any potential differences in folic acid practices amongst census regions in the U.S. When comparing responses across phases, there was a continued significant increase (P<0.001) in women that reported taking multivitamins every day in the month before pregnancy. However, this only accounted for between 30% of respondents in 2004-2008 and 36.7% of respondents in 2016-2022. Women that reported hearing folic acid can prevent some birth defects decreased significantly (P<0.001) from 78.5% in 2004-2008 to 73.7% in 2016-2022. In another question asking why someone would take folic acid, the correct answer of “to prevent birth defects” was chosen less frequently over time. The number of women that chose “to make strong bones,” an incorrect answer, increased significantly (P<0.001) from 10% in 2004-2008 to 16.2% in 2016-2022. Across phases, respondents in the South typically reported less multivitamin/folic acid use 1 month before pregnancy and less hearing about folic acid importance when compared to other regions of the U.S. The limited proactive use of folic acid-containing multivitamins, coupled with reduced awareness of their benefits, further supports the notion that women of childbearing age are not being adequately informed about the advantages of folic acid use. This study enhances our comprehension of the evolving perspectives, knowledge, and actions of women concerning folic acid usage before and during pregnancy, spanning the period from 2004 to 2021. These insights can guide healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public by identifying potential deficiencies in folic acid awareness, attitudes, and accessibility. Addressing these gaps is crucial to guarantee that women of childbearing age receive sufficient folic acid supplementation, thereby promoting favorable outcomes during pregnancy.
Folic Acid Trends: Changes in Knowledge, Opinions, and Use During Pregnancy Reported by Postpartum Women in the United States, 2004-2021
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
The CDC recommends all women of reproductive age take 400 mcg of folic acid per day as it is essential for healthy fetal development, primarily in the first trimester when there may be a delay before pregnancy status is known. Even though the folic acid recommendation is widely known in the healthcare community, this knowledge may not be consistently passed on to individuals in the general population. To assess folic acid practices in the U.S., a secondary analysis of the CDC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) was conducted. Datasets from four PRAMS phases spanning 2004 to 2021 were filtered to questions surrounding folic acid knowledge, opinions, and use. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and chi-square for categorical comparisons, were calculated in IBM SPSS 29 with Complex Samples Add-On to apply sampling weights for calculation of population estimates. A subgroup analysis based on respondents’ state of residence was performed to detect any potential differences in folic acid practices amongst census regions in the U.S. When comparing responses across phases, there was a continued significant increase (P<0.001) in women that reported taking multivitamins every day in the month before pregnancy. However, this only accounted for between 30% of respondents in 2004-2008 and 36.7% of respondents in 2016-2022. Women that reported hearing folic acid can prevent some birth defects decreased significantly (P<0.001) from 78.5% in 2004-2008 to 73.7% in 2016-2022. In another question asking why someone would take folic acid, the correct answer of “to prevent birth defects” was chosen less frequently over time. The number of women that chose “to make strong bones,” an incorrect answer, increased significantly (P<0.001) from 10% in 2004-2008 to 16.2% in 2016-2022. Across phases, respondents in the South typically reported less multivitamin/folic acid use 1 month before pregnancy and less hearing about folic acid importance when compared to other regions of the U.S. The limited proactive use of folic acid-containing multivitamins, coupled with reduced awareness of their benefits, further supports the notion that women of childbearing age are not being adequately informed about the advantages of folic acid use. This study enhances our comprehension of the evolving perspectives, knowledge, and actions of women concerning folic acid usage before and during pregnancy, spanning the period from 2004 to 2021. These insights can guide healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public by identifying potential deficiencies in folic acid awareness, attitudes, and accessibility. Addressing these gaps is crucial to guarantee that women of childbearing age receive sufficient folic acid supplementation, thereby promoting favorable outcomes during pregnancy.