Abstract
The objectives of this study conducted with women in Irbid, Jordan were to describe maternal folate knowledge and sources of this knowledge; to describe maternal practices of using vitamin supplements; and to examine the impact of selected variables on the use of folate supplement. A descriptive retrospective survey design was used. A convenience sample of 300 women was recruited from the Princess Badia Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a self-report Maternal Nutritional Knowledge and Behaviour Questionnaire. Among study participants, 58.3% reported that they had heard or read about folic acid and 53.7% reported that they had heard or read that taking folic acid can help prevent some birth defects. The most frequent source of folate knowledge was a doctor, nurse or health care provider (37.7%). Seventy-seven per cent were users of multivitamins and 58.3% were users of folic acid. The significant predictors of lower folate use were less prenatal care, lower education level and higher number of previous pregnancies, p = 0.000. The results of this study indicate that further effort is needed in Jordan to educate women about the importance of taking prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid.
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