ARTICLE Characteristics Associated with Adequate Folic Acid Supplementation in a Multicultural Urban

Objective: To determine the proportion of pregnant women taking folic acid supplementation as recommended and to determine their demographic characteristics. Methods: From June to December 2002, women attending their first prenatal visit to an outpatient clinic at a 500-bed tertiary mother–child hospital in Montréal were surveyed about their use of folic acid. Demographic data, including age, country of origin, education level, maternal diseases, parity, marital status, and family income, were recorded. The hospital serves a multicultural local population and the high-risk population in a larger geographic area. Results: Of the 75 women recruited, only 29 (39%) were taking adequate folic acid supplementation. Four demographic differences were observed between those taking folic acid as recommended and those who were not. The proportion born in Canada was higher among those with adequate folic acid supplementation than among those with inadequate supplementation (76 % and 43 % respectively, p = 0.008), as were the proportions involved in a stable relationship (100 % and 80%, p = 0.006), with a postsecondary education (86 % and 46%, p = 0.001), and with a household income of $40 000 or more (72 % and 37%, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Just over one-quarter of the women in this sample were taking folic acid supplementation adequate to prevent neural tube defects. More effort is required to inform the public of the need for and proper use of folic acid. Such efforts should focus on identified groups who tend not to take folic acid or who take such supplements incorrectly