Folic acid consumption among Missouri women in the periconceptional period

Abstract

Periconceptional folic acid consumption significantly reduces the risk for neural tube defects. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for poor periconceptional folic acid supplementation among Missouri women. Sixty-five percent of Missouri women reported not taking periconceptional multivitamins regularly. Unintended pregnancy (aOR = 0.49), maternal adolescent age (aOR = 0.44) and smoking before pregnancy (aOR = 0.53) were significantly associated with poor periconceptional multivitamin use. Folic acid interventions targeting specific sub-groups of women are needed in Missouri.