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Orimoloye HT, Qureshi N, Lee PC, Wu CK, Saechao C, Federman N, Li CY, Ritz B, Arah OA, Heck JE. Maternal anemia and the risk of childhood cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30188. [PMID: 36600459 PMCID: PMC10773261 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer may be related to maternal health in pregnancy. Maternal anemia is a common condition in pregnancy, especially in low-income countries, but the association between maternal anemia and childhood cancer has not been widely studied. OBJECTIVE To examine the potential relation between maternal anemia during pregnancy and childhood cancers in a population-based cohort study in Taiwan. METHODS We examined the relationship between maternal anemia and childhood cancer in Taiwan (N = 2160 cancer cases, 2,076,877 noncases). Cases were taken from the National Cancer Registry, and noncases were selected from birth records. Using national health registries, we obtained maternal anemia diagnoses. We estimated the risks for childhood cancers using Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS There was an increased risk of cancers in children born to mothers with nutritional anemia (hazard ratio (HR): 1.32, 95% CI 0.99, 1.76). Iron deficiency anemia (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 0.97-1.75) carried an increased risk, while non-nutritional anemias were not associated with childhood cancer risk. CONCLUSION Our results provide additional support for screening for anemia during pregnancy. Adequate nutrition and vitamin supplementation may help to prevent some childhood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen T. Orimoloye
- College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Naveen Qureshi
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Pei-Chen Lee
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Univ. Paris-Sud, Inserm U1018, Team “Exposome, heredity, cancer and health”, CESP, 94807, Villejuif, France
| | - Chia-Kai Wu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chai Saechao
- UCLA Health, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Noah Federman
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Onyebuchi A. Arah
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julia E. Heck
- College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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Preconception of folic acid supplementation knowledge among Ethiopian women reproductive age group in areas with high burden of neural tube defects: a community based cross-sectional study. J Nutr Sci 2022; 11:e48. [PMID: 35836692 PMCID: PMC9241059 DOI: 10.1017/jns.2022.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is effective in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of the present study was to determine the level of knowledge about the benefits of preconceptional folic acid supplementation in a sample of women of childbearing age and its associated factors. A cross-sectional community-based study design was carried out on a total of 441 women of childbearing age. Questionnaires included knowledge of preconception of folic acid supplements and socio-demographic characteristics. The χ2 was used to compare categorical data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to isolate the predictive variables and examined individually by calculating the adjusted odds ratio. Statistical significance is declared as P < 0·05. We found that 35·1 % (n 155) knew preconceptional folic acid supplementation could prevent NTDs, and 3·8 % (n 17) knew the right time to take preconceptional folic acid supplementation and only 1·7 % (n 7) who had a history of NTDs. Attended secondary education (OR 2·7; 95 % CI 1·1, 6·0, P = 0·017), governmental employee (OR 3·5; 95 % CI 2·3, 17·8, P < 0·001), current pregnancy status (OR 3·0; 95 % CI 2·1, 4·2, P = 0·043), history of visiting the antenatal care service during pregnancy (OR 2·9; 95 % CI 1·07, 7·8, P = 0·03), history of taking folic acid supplement (OR 4·5; 95 % CI 2·9, 7·1, P < 0·001) were associated. More than half of the participant women did not know about preconception of folic acid supplements that reduce the risk of NTDs. Identification of the level of knowledge on preconception of folic acid may allow for targeted educational or other interventions to further encourage folic acid use.
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Sadiq Z, Hussein H. Assessment of knowledge and attitudes among pregnant women’s towards folic acid intake during pregnancy in a sample of women attending primary health care centers in Babylon province. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF BABYLON 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/mjbl.mjbl_72_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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AL-Mohaithef M, Alaslani H, Javed NB, Chandramohan S. Folic acid awareness and usage among females at Saudi Electronic University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. SAGE Open Med 2021; 9:20503121211059682. [PMID: 35154760 PMCID: PMC8826106 DOI: 10.1177/20503121211059682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study evaluates awareness of folic acid and neural tube defects, use of folic acid and knowledge of folic acid usage among female university students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Jeddah branch of Saudi Electronic University. A total of 400 female students in the 19–45 years age group were contacted to participate in the study using a convenience sampling method. Eighty-eight students refused to participate, so 312 students were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of participants and their awareness, usage and knowledge of folic acid are presented as frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute crude odds ratios to show the association between demographic factors and knowledge of folic acid supplementation. A further adjusted odds ratio was calculated to control for other cofactors. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Overall, 81.1% (253/312) of respondents had heard of folic acid, 30.4% knew about neural tube defects, and 47.1% of respondents reported using folic acid supplements. Marriage was found to be associated with awareness of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.64 (1.01–6.91)). Health sciences specialization and experience of pregnancy were associated with the usage of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.46 (1.73–6.91) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.70 (3.09–14.53), respectively). A bachelor’s and above education level was found to be associated with knowledge of folic acid deficiency leading to neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.03 (1.17–3.52)), and health sciences specialization was found to be associated with knowledge of natural sources of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.33 (1.25–4.36)). Similarly, marriage was found to be associated with knowledge of the correct dosage of folic acid and timing of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 6.34 (3.50–11.48) and adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.45 (1.93–6.16), respectively). Experience of pregnancy was found to be an associated with good total knowledge of folic acid (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 3.05 (1.65–5.63); p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the lack of awareness among female university students about the importance of folic acid usage in the prevention of neural tube defects. There is a need for interventional programs in universities to create awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed AL-Mohaithef
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hadeel Alaslani
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nargis Begum Javed
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sriram Chandramohan
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Tsuji JS, Lennox KP, Watson HN, Chang ET. Essential concepts for interpreting the dose-response of low-level arsenic exposure in epidemiological studies. Toxicology 2021; 457:152801. [PMID: 33905760 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Scientifically robust selections of epidemiological studies and assessments of the dose-response of inorganic arsenic in the low-dose range must consider key issues specific to arsenic in order to reduce risk of bias. The abundance of toxicological, mechanistic, and epidemiological evidence on arsenic enables a nuanced assessment of risk of bias in epidemiological studies of low-level arsenic, as opposed to a generic evaluation based only on standard principles. Important concepts in this context include 1) arsenic metabolism and mode of action for toxicity and carcinogenicity; 2) effects of confounding factors such as diet, health status including nutritional deficiencies, use of tobacco and other substances, and body composition; 3) strengths and limitations of various metrics for assessing relevant exposures consistent with the mode of action; and 4) the potential for bias in the positive direction for the observed dose-response relationship as exposure increases in the low-dose range. As an example, evaluation of a recent dose-response modeling using eight epidemiological studies of inorganic arsenic and bladder cancer demonstrated that the pooled risk estimate was markedly affected by the single study that was ranked as having a high risk of bias, based on the above factors. The other seven studies were also affected by these factors to varying, albeit lesser, degrees that can influence the apparent dose-response in the low-dose range (i.e., drinking water concentration of 65 µg/L or dose of approximately ≤1 µg/kg-day). These issues are relevant considerations for assessing health risks of oral exposures to inorganic arsenic in the U.S. population, and setting evidence-based regulatory limits to protect human health.
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Karaçil Ermumcu MŞ, Mengi Çelik Ö, Acar Tek N. An Evaluation of Awareness, Knowledge, and Use of Folic Acid and Dietary Folate Intake among Non-Pregnant Women of Childbearing Age and Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey. Ecol Food Nutr 2020; 60:101-115. [PMID: 32856479 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2020.1807344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and use of folic acid and dietary folate intake among non-pregnant women of childbearing age and pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was completed with 1442 women (1106 non-pregnant and 336 pregnant) in Ankara, Turkey. The individuals' awareness, knowledge, and use of folic acid were questioned and food consumption were taken. More than two-thirds of the non-pregnant and pregnant women had heard of folic acid (77.2% and 89.0%, respectively). The pregnant women (53.9%) knew more that folic acid should be used before conception in order to prevent congenital anomalies than non-pregnant women (41.4%). It was found that 70.2% of the pregnant women and only 15.1% of the non-pregnant women used folic acid supplementation. The pregnant women (1368.4 mcg; 330.4 mcg) significantly had higher folic acid and dietary folate intake than non-pregnant women (29.6 mcg; 289.3 mcg) (p < .01). Despite many public health campaigns, awareness, knowledge, and appropriate use of folic acid are still inadequate and not at the desired level in women of childbearing age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Özge Mengi Çelik
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Gazi University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nilüfer Acar Tek
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Gazi University , Ankara, Turkey
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Mohammed BS, Kawawa AR, Wemakor A. Prevalence and determinants of uptake of folic acid in peri‐conceptional period in a rural lower‐middle‐income country, Ghana. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 126:254-262. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anthony Wemakor
- University for Development Studies School of Allied Health Sciences Tamale Ghana
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Babgi MA, Al-Jifree HM, AlShehri OA, Khan MA, Khogeer AN, Alqurashi MA. Awareness of risk factors and preventive measures for neural tube defects: Perception towards pregnancy termination in the Saudi population. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2019; 12:195-201. [PMID: 30932895 DOI: 10.3233/npm-17165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital anomalies worldwide with an incidence of 300,000/year. Spina bifida, which is the most prevalent NTD, has an incidence of 1.2/1000 live births in Saudi Arabia. Our study aimed to assess the awareness of NTDs and the implementation of preventative measures against them. In addition, to gauge public opinion regarding abortion following early diagnosis of NTDs. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study in which questionnaires were distributed using non-probability convenient sampling technique and data was collected in a face-to-face interview. Subjects were approached in an outpatient clinic and in a shopping mall in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS Out of 353 subjects, 35.7% were males, 64.3% females (33% pregnant), and the median age was 34 (IQR = 14) years. Of subjects, 66.3% were not aware of NTDs, and regarding folic acid 54% believed that it helps in preventing NTDs, and only 25% agreed on starting it before pregnancy. However, only 19% agreed on all points, which even dropped to 9% after considering planned pregnancies. Gender differences were extremely significant (p-value <0.001) as females were more aware. Interestingly, 62% would abort in early-diagnosed NTD cases. Of pregnant women, only 20% started taking folic acid before pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The data shows that the majority of the study's population are in favor of terminating the pregnancy in justified NTD cases. There is a need for increasing public awareness, especially to males, and should be provided through all channels of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Babgi
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatim M Al-Jifree
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar A AlShehri
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A Khan
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad N Khogeer
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mansour A Alqurashi
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pediatric Neonatology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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De Silva J, Amarasena S, Jayaratne K, Perera B. Correlates of knowledge on birth defects and associated factors among antenatal mothers in Galle, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional analytical study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019; 19:35. [PMID: 30654759 PMCID: PMC6337825 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-2163-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birth defects (BD) are considered a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Personal, cultural, and health care system barriers may increase the incidence of BD in low and middle income countries. In this study we assessed the knowledge of antenatal mothers on BD, associated factors, and prevention and management. Methods Three hundred and fifty (350) antenatal mothers were surveyed using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The knowledge on BD was evaluated under 3 categories; knowledge on BD, knowledge on associated factors, and knowledge on prevention and management. The total scores were calculated for each category and converted into percentages. A higher percentage score indicates a high level of knowledge. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used for data analysis. Level of significance was considered as p < 0.05. Results Mean age of the participants was 28.7 years (SD = 5.2). The age range was 17–44 years. Most of the participants (79%) had studied up to secondary or tertiary education. The average scores of knowledge on BD, associated factors, and prevention and management of BD were 57.6% (95% CI = 52.3–62.9%), 55.1% (95% CI = 49.8–60.4%) and 58.8% (95% CI = 53.5–64.1%) respectively. The average score on the overall total knowledge was 56.4% (95% CI = 51.1–61.7%). Mother’s level of education, monthly income of the family and number of clinic visits made by the mother were found to be positively associated with the overall knowledge. About 62% of the participants had taken folic acid (FA) preconceptionally, a major preventive factor of BD associated with the nervous system. Folic acid intake was positively associated with age and educational level, but negatively associated with parity. Media (36.9%) and Public Health Midwives (PHMs) (20%) were found to be the major sources of knowledge on BD, associated factors and prevention in this target group. Conclusions The average overall knowledge on BD in this group of antenatal mothers was moderate. Thus, there is a need to improve the knowledge in eligible women to reduce the occurrence of BD, ideally before they become pregnant. Media and PHMs were seem to be the effective and possible resources that can be used to educate the community on BD, associated factors and prevention of BD in Sri Lanka. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2163-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janithra De Silva
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
| | - Sujeewa Amarasena
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Bilesha Perera
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
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Kim J, Yon M, Kim CI, Lee Y, Moon GI, Hong J, Hyun T. Preconceptional use of folic acid and knowledge about folic acid among low-income pregnant women in Korea. Nutr Res Pract 2017; 11:240-246. [PMID: 28584581 PMCID: PMC5449381 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2017.11.3.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Folic acid supplementation before pregnancy is known to significantly reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects (NTDs). Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of the effects of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and preconceptional use of folic acid and to assess the current knowledge about folic acid among low-income pregnant women in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2012. Five hundred pregnant women were selected from the waiting list for the Nutriplus program implemented in public health centers using a multistage clustered probability sampling design. Data from 439 women were analyzed after excluding ones with incomplete answers. RESULTS Among women who responded to the questionnaire, 65.6% had heard of folic acid before pregnancy, and 26.4% reported on the preconceptional use of folic acid. Women with a university degree or higher education were more likely to be aware of folic acid and to take folic acid in the preconception period. In a multivariate logistic regression, when age, education level, household income, employment status, gravidity, parity, and folic acid awareness were included in the model, folic acid awareness was a strong predictor of preconceptional folic acid use. As of interview, 85.4% and 77.7% of women were aware of the NTD-preventive role of folic acid and the appropriate time to take folic acid, respectively. The main sources of information on folic acid were healthcare professionals (41.2%), friends and family members (31.2%), and the media (26.5%). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that public health strategies are needed to increase the preconceptional use of folic acid among Korean women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, 1, Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
| | - Miyong Yon
- Nutrition Management Service and Policy Team, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro 187, Chungbuk 28159, Korea
| | - Cho-Il Kim
- Nutrition Management Service and Policy Team, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Osongsaengmyeong2-ro 187, Chungbuk 28159, Korea
| | - Yoonna Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Shingu College, Gyeonggi 13174, Korea
| | - Gui-Im Moon
- Food Safety Evaluation Department, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungbuk 28159, Korea
| | - Jinhwan Hong
- Food Safety Evaluation Department, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Chungbuk 28159, Korea
| | - Taisun Hyun
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungbuk National University, 1, Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk 28644, Korea
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Awareness and uptake of measures for preventing CNS birth defects among mothers of affected children in a sub-Saharan African neurosurgeon's practice. Childs Nerv Syst 2015; 31:2311-7. [PMID: 25930723 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-2718-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The two main measures used in the reduction of the birth prevalence of CNS birth defects are (i) folic acid, FA, supplementation/food fortification for reproductively active women as the primary one, and (ii) timely screening/intrauterine diagnosis, and possibly termination of the affected pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional survey of the levels of awareness and uptake of these measures in a consecutive cohort of mothers of children with CNS birth defects presenting for neurosurgical treatment in an African clinical practice. RESULTS There were 151 cases, 101 of them neural tube defects, NTDs. The level of awareness of the role of FA in prevention of these defects was low, 18.8%, and dietary multivitamin supplementation was ingested by only10.7% of the study subjects. The mothers' obstetric behavior in the index pregnancies was suboptimal: pregnancy registration and commencement of obstetric supplements were at median gestational age of 4 months, and obstetric ultrasonography was obtained infrequently, and in an unregulated milieu. Only 17.8% of these CNS birth defects were diagnosed prenatally, but >80% of the mothers would have liked to have the intrauterine diagnosis, and about 23% might have asked for termination of these pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS The levels of awareness and uptake of measures for preventing CNS birth defects among mothers of affected children in this sub-Saharan African women cohort are low. Interestingly, many of the mothers were very favorably disposed to receiving, and acting on, the information about the screen detected CNS birth defects in their fetuses.
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Awareness and use of folic acid among pregnant women in Taipei: increase the periconceptional use of folic acid in Taiwan. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2012; 51:319-21; author reply 322-3. [PMID: 22795122 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2012.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Awareness of folic acid use among pregnant women in Taipei – Reply to letter to the Editor. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2012.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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