PREVENÇÃO DE DEFEITOS DO TUBO NEURAL: PREVALÊNCIA DO USO DA SUPLEMENTAÇÃO DE ÁCIDO FÓLICO E FATORES ASSOCIADOS EM GESTANTES NA CIDADE DE PELOTAS RS, BRASIL

Abstract

To determine folic acid use and associated factors, a cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in the five maternities from Pelotas - RS, Brazil. Data were collected from April 1st to August 15th, 2006. 1450 women were interviewed. A standard questionnaire was applied in the hospitals. Statistical analysis was done by Poisson Regression. Prevalence of folic acid consumption during pregnancy was 31.8% and periconceptional use was 4.3%. The following characteristics were associated to folic acid use: white skin color, schooling above 9 years, family income higher than 600 reais, age groups older than 30, planned pregnancies, seven or more prenatal care visits, knowledge about folic acid and prenatal care realization in the private health system. It is important to promote folic acid use among fertile age women and to supply with folic acid poorer women in order to prevent neural tube defects