Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Recommendations among Polish Female Students from the Podkarpackie Region

Spina Bifida Prevention: A Narrative Review of Folic Acid Supplements for Childbearing Age Women

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are malformations that occur during embryonic development, and they account for most central nervous system birth anomalies. Genetic and environmental factors have been shown to play a role in the etiology of NTDs. The different types of NTDs are classified according to anatomic location and severity of the defect, with most of the neural axis anomalies occurring in the caudal spinal or cranial areas. Spina bifida is a type of NTD that is characterized by an opening in the vertebral arch, and the level of severity is determined by the extent to which the neural tissue protrudes through the opened arch(es). Prevention of NTDs by administration of folic acid has been studied and described in the literature, yet there are approximately 300,000 cases of NTDs that occur annually, with 88,000 deaths occurring per year worldwide. A daily intake of at least 400 μg of folic acid is recommended especially for women of childbearing age. To provide the benefits of folic acid, prenatal vitamins are recommended in pregnancy, and many countries have been fortifying foods such as cereal grain products with folic acid; however, not all countries have instituted folic acid fortification programs. The present investigation includes a description of the pharmacology of folic acid, neural tube formation, defects such as spina bifida, and the relevance of folic acid to developing spina bifida. Women's knowledge and awareness of folic acid regarding its importance in the prevention of spina bifida is a major factor in reducing incidence worldwide.

Preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among people of reproductive age: A systematic review of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

The health of parents before pregnancy influences the short- and long-term health of their offspring. This systematic review explored the preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours held by women and men of childbearing age.

METHODS

Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 (MEDLINE, CINAHL Full-text, PsycINFO, EMBASE). Inclusion criteria specified qualitative research papers which recruited individuals of reproductive age (16-45 years) without existing chronic illnesses. Data were quality assessed and analysed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Twelve papers met inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified (cultural context, pregnancy planning, knowledge, gender roles and responsibility, information seeking, prior health behaviours) which relate to individual, social, psychological and cultural factors. Cultural context was related to all other themes. Pregnancy planners had greater motivation to optimise their health whereas those not actively planning were focused more on becoming financially stable. Women and men's knowledge of how and why to engage in health protective behaviours was limited, with health risks and behaviour change discussed in the context of pregnancy rather than preconception. Gender roles influenced individual responsibility for preparation for pregnancy, which in turn influenced information seeking behaviours and engagement in health behaviours. Online sources of support and information were seen as desirable, regardless of pregnancy planning stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that behaviour change interventions designed to support people to optimise health before conception should address cultural, individual, social and psychological factors to facilitate behaviour change. Development of online resources may help to increase accessibility for people across different cultural contexts and stages of pregnancy planning.

Folic Acid Determination in Food Samples Using Green Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Electro-Poly (Methyl Orange) Sensor

Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were green synthesized using Ocimum basilicum leaves aqueous extract in which polyphenols act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The synthesized CuONPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The analyses indicated the formation of crystalline rod-like monoclinic pure CuONPs with a mean grain size of 15 nm, a surface area of 396 m2 g−1, and a total pore volume of 0.71 cm3 g−1. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified using the synthesized CuONPs and electropolymerized poly(methyl orange) (PMO). The modified PMO/CuONPs/GCE electrode was electrochemically characterized and applied for the estimation of folic acid (FA) by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, linear sweep voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The influence of pH (7), scan rate (50 mV/s), supporting electrolyte (0.1 M KCl) and FA concentration has been optimized. FA is precisely determined in the range from 0.01 to 1.5 µΜ with a low detection limit (0.002 µΜ), a low quantitation limit (0.068 µΜ), high reproducibility (RSD 0.37, 10 measurements), and high stability (98% activity after 50 days). FA in food samples was determined by the new sensor with high recoveries from 93 to 108.8%.

Graphical Abstract