Knowledge of supplemental folic acid during pregnancy / Conocimiento de la suplementación de ácido fólico en la gestación / Conhecimento da suplementação de ácido fólico na gestação

Objective.To identify the use of folic acid during pregnancy, as well as the new mothers´ knowledge about folic acid. Methodology. Quantitative, descriptive exploratory, and prospective study. A total of 198 mothers were interviewed in the pediatric outpatient service of Hospital de Base Sao José do Rio Preto, Brazil. They have taken their children for neonatal screening and formally consented to participating in the study. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (350,287). A specific instrument was used for data collection. The data were entered into an appropriate spreadsheet and later statistically analyzed. Pearson´s chi-squared test, p <0.15, was used. Results. On average, the interviewed mothers were 25 years old and received less than two minimum wages. Most had prenatal in the first quartile and a mean of seven appointments, starting the use of folic acid from the 7th to the 9th week of gestational age. However, when asked about the importance of folic acid and its action, almost the majority was not able to answer. Conclusion. Although daily acid supplementation is recommended in prenatal care, this study found that consumption is inadequate, contributing to the increased risk of fetal malformation. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should develop educational activities for women about the use of folic acid in the pre-gestation period and in the first pregnancy trimester.

Objetivo. IdIdentificar el conocimiento y el uso durante el embarazo del ácido fólico. Metodología.Cuantitativo, exploratorio descriptivo y prospectivo. Se entrevistaron un total de 198 madres en el servicio de consulta externa de pediatría del Hospital de Base de Sao José do Rio Preto, Brasil quienes se habían llevado a sus hijos para el cribado neonatal y aceptado participar del estudio por consentimiento formal. El proyecto de investigación fue aprobado por el Comité Ético de Investigación (350.287). Se utilizó un instrumento específico para la recolección de datos. Asimismo, una hoja de cálculo para la transcripción de datos; después, se analizaron estadísticamente. Prueba Person's Chi-cuadrado se utilizó p <0,15. Resultados. Las puérperas entrevistadas tuvieron una media de 25 años, el 61.5% ganaba menos de dos salarios mínimos. El 96.5% realizó control prenatal; el 18.2% de las gestantes inició control tardíamente, entre el segundo y tercer trimestre de embarazo. El 81.3% de las mujeres consumió ácido fólico en la gestación; cuatro de cada cinco en los tres primeros meses de embarazo. Cuando se preguntó sobre la importancia del ácido fólico y de su acción, la mayoría de las mujeres no supo responder. Conclusión. Aunque la suplementación diaria con ácidofólico sea recomendada en el control prenatal, se verificó en este estudio que su consumo es inadecuado, lo que contribuye al aumento del riesgo de malformación fetal. El profesional del área de la salud y, especialmente, el enfermero deben desarrollar actividades educativas para las mujeres en cuanto al uso de ácido fólico en el período pregestacionacional y durante el primer trimestre del embarazo.

Objetivo.Identificar o uso do ácido fólico durante a gestação e o conhecimento de puérperas sobre o ácido fólico. Metodologia. Estudo quantitativo, descritivo exploratório e prospectivo. Entrevistou 198 puérperas, no ambulatório da pediatria do Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, Brasil, que trouxerem seus filhos para triagem neonatal e aceitaram por escrito participar da pesquisa. O projeto de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética em pesquisa (350.287). A coleta de dados foi realizada com um instrumento específico. Os dados foram transcritos para uma planilha e analisados estatisticamente. Utilizou o teste de Qui-Quadrado de Person, p<0,15. Resultados. Em média, as puérperas entrevistadas possuem 25 anos e ganham menos de dois salários mínimos. A maioria realizou o pré-natal, no primeiro trimestre e tiveram uma media de sete consultas, com o início do uso de ácido fólico na idade gestacional de sete a nove semanas. Contudo quando questionadas sobre a importância do ácido fólico e sua ação, quase que a maioria significativa não soube responder. Conclusão. Embora a suplementação com ácido fólico diária seja recomendado no pré-natal, verificou-se que seu consumo foi inadequado, contribuindo para o aumento do risco de malformação fetal. O profissional da área da saúde, especialmente os enfermeiros, devem desenvolver atividades educativas para as mulheres quanto ao uso de ácido fólico de durante o período pré-gestacional e primeiro trimestre da gravidez.

Knowledge of supplemental folic acid during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the use of folic acid during pregnancy, as well as the new mothers´ knowledge about folic acid. METHODOLOGY: Quantitative, descriptive exploratory, and prospective study. A total of 198 mothers were interviewed in the pediatric outpatient service of Hospital de Base Sao José do Rio Preto, Brazil. They have taken their children for neonatal screening and formally consented to participating in the study. The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (350,287). A specific instrument was used for data collection. The data were entered into an appropriate spreadsheet and later statistically analyzed. Pearson´s chi-squared test, p <0.15, was used. RESULTS: On average, the interviewed mothers were 25 years old and received less than two minimum wages. Most had prenatal in the first quartile and a mean of seven appointments, starting the use of folic acid from the 7th to the 9th week of gestational age. However, when asked about the importance of folic acid and its action, almost the majority was not able to answer. CONCLUSION: Although daily acid supplementation is recommended in prenatal care, this study found that consumption is inadequate, contributing to the increased risk of fetal malformation. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should develop educational activities for women about the use of folic acid in the pre-gestation period and in the first pregnancy trimester.