Knowledge and use of Folic Acid among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Folic acid plays an important role during pre-conceptional period and the first trimester to reduce the incidence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs). This study aimed to determine the knowledge and use of folic acid among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in primary health care centers in Kaduna North Local Government area (LGA).
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 176 pregnant women were selected using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23 and results were presented using tables. Chi square test of proportion was used to test for association. Fisher's Exact Test was used where conditions for Chi square test was not met. The level of statistical significance was set at p- value of <0.05.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.9±6.1 years. Only 39.3% of respondents knew that folic acid prevents birth defects. About two thirds of the respondents (63.1%) had good knowledge on folic acid. Most of the respondents (88.6%) had good use of folic acid. The association between level of education, planned pregnancy and knowledge of folic acid were statistically significant (p=0.001 for both). There was also a statistically significant association between folic acid use and level of education.
Conclusion: About two thirds of the pregnant woman had good knowledge on folic acid but there was low pre-conceptional use of folic acid. There should be awareness campaigns on folic acid with special focus on pre-conceptional folic acid use by the LGA health department.