DETERMINANTS OF PRECONCEPTIONAL AND PERICONCEPTIONAL FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION AMONG PRENATAL WOMEN IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Although preconceptional and periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) by more than 70%, adherence to supplement use remains low. In this retrospective and cross sectional study, the determinants of preconceptional and periconceptional FA use by pregnant women were assessed. Relationships between variable were determined using Chi square. A total of 376 women were interviewed at ANCs in the Upper East Region for the starting time of use of FA supplement. There was inadequate level (45.5%) of knowledge about FA supplementation among the population. A staggering 91% of the study participants did not practice preconceptional FA supplementation. In spite of 80.6% periconceptional FA supplementation, a large percentage (>54%) missed the recommended starting time. Mother’s educational attainment, employment status, and income level were associated with preconceptional FA use (P = 0.004, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively). And in periconceptional stage, there was association with educational attainment (P = 0.003). Pregnancy counseling was associated with both preconceptional and periconceptional FA supplement use (P = 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). But more than 75% of the participants did not go for pregnancy counseling. Early booking at ANC was associated with FA supplementation (P < 0.001). There was inadequate level of knowledge about FA supplementation among pregnant women in the UER. Vigorous educational and poverty alleviation strategies should be used to encourage pregnancy counseling, and raise women’s incomes and then, FA use.