: Involvement of health professionals in prescribing folic acid to women during the periconceptional period in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Introduction: Numerous studies have shown that prescription of folic acid during preconception period and early pregnancy decreases the incidence of neural tube defects. Nevertheless in France prescription of folic acid to women willing to conceive seems insufficient, according to the national perinatal survey from 2016 only 23% of women received a prescription before conception. Goal: The aim of this study is to understand the involvement of professionals (general practitioner, gynecologist and midwife) with regards to the prescription of folic acid to women before conception and to point out brakes and levers favouring this prescription. Material and Method: Our study is an epidemiological, cross-selectional, quantitative study conducted in 2019-2020 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes through computerised questionnaires filled by 377 professionals. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model were used to point out factors contributing in the follow-up of the recommandation. Results: Among the 377 participants, most of them (81,4%) think they follow recommendations. However half of them (50,3%) think recommandations are unsuitable or hard to apply. Professionals who practice gynaecology and those who think recommendations are suitable are more likely to think they follow recommendations (p-value <0,01). Conclusion: Professionals report that few women consult before conception so it’s difficult for them to take folic acid correctly. It is essential to sensitize professionals as well as women of childbearing age to the preconception consultation and to broadcast through various means of communication the importance of folic acid intake.Introduction : De nombreuses études ont prouvé le rôle de l’acide folique en période périconceptionnelle pour diminuer l'incidence des AFTN. Pourtant en France, sa prescription chez les femmes ayant un projet de grossesse serait insuffisante, elle est seulement de 23% avant le début de la grossesse selon l’enquête nationale périnatale 2016. Objectif : Comprendre l’implication des professionnels de santé (médecins généralistes, gynécologues et sages femmes) sur la prescription d’acide folique aux femmes en période périconceptionnelle et rechercher les facteurs limitants et favorisants. Matériel et Méthode: Étude épidémiologique transversale quantitative menée en 2019-2020 au Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes à l’aide de questionnaires informatisés et diffusés aux professionnels de santé. Les facteurs associés au suivi des recommandations ont été recherché par analyse univariée puis multivariée par régression logistique. Résultats : Sur les 377 participants, la majorité (81,4%) pensent respecter les recommandations de supplémentation en acide folique. Mais la moitié (50,3%) les trouvent inadaptées ou difficilement applicables. Les professionnels qui font beaucoup de consultations de gynécologie et ceux qui trouvent ces recommandations adaptées ont plus de “chance” de penser qu’ils les respectent (p-value