Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women about benefits and doses of folic acid consumption during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: A simple randomized study has been done with 300 pregnant women in (Mahdied, Shohada, Shariati) hospital. Women were asked about their information and about consumption of folic acid in order to prevent nural tube defect and reasons for not taking it.

Results: There were 300 women, 150 (50%) had been recommended before to consume folic acid but only 46 (31%) of them used it during pregnancy. There were 37 (12%) who aware about taking it.

Conclusion: Although 50% of women had been recommended to consume of folic acid, less than 50% of the women who were surveyed have been taking it. Strategies are required to increase folate intake among pregnant women and inform of the benefits of folate supplementation by the health eduction.