The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55923

Stephen M. Abelman, MBA¹, Joann Petrini, PhD, MPH², Karla Damus, RN, PhD², Margaret Watkins, BSN, MPH³, Jennifer Williams, MSN, MPH³, and Cheryl E. Stone, MPH⁴. (1) Education and Health Promotion, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605, 914-997-4226, sabelman@marchofdimes.com, (2) Perinatal Data Center, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, (3) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, 4770 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA 30341, (4) Rynne Marketing Group, 1603 Orrington, Suite 1100, Evanston, IL 60201

Objective: To determine awareness of, and response to, the United States Public Health Service folic acid recommendation among a national sample of physicians.

Method: A random sample telephone survey of 361 general obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and 250 family physicians (FPs) conducted between March and July 2002.

Results: The majority (77%) of providers were male. One-half (50%) of providers had been in practice more than 20 years. Respondents were typically board certified (89%), and in private practice (53%). About one-half (52%) of providers knew that approximately one-half of all pregnancies are unplanned; 88% of physicians recognized folic acid supplementation should begin at least a month before conception; and 85% reported always recommending folic acid to women planning pregnancies. However, physicians reported seeing only 20% of prenatal patients preconceptionally. Only 25% of physicians always recommended folic acid to non–pregnant women. Awareness of folic acid’s benefits regarding some birth defects was very high (97%), although over one-half (53%) misstated the correct dosage, and almost three-quarters (69%) misstated the correct dosage for women with a previous neural tube defect-affected pregnancy. Less than one-half of respondents (39%) thought that more than 50% of their patients complied with provider recommendations to take multivitamins or folic acid supplements.

Conclusion: Knowledge about folic acid benefits was high among respondents, but more education about correct doses is needed. Promotion of folic acid was greatest for women contemplating pregnancy; however, respondents reported that few women receive preconceptional care. Folic acid use could increase if physicians promoted the folic acid message to all women capable of having children.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the understanding and knowledge of folic acid among OB/GYNs and FPs whose practices include women of reproductive age.
• Identify awareness of the appropriate dosage and timing of folic acid use to prevent neural tube defects
• Identify best means of supporting physicians and their patients in compliance with appropriate folic acid use.
• Determine opportunities to combine a message and means of communication to the appropriate target audiences

Keywords: Perinatal Outcomes, Pregnancy Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.