Awareness Rising, But Still Too Few Women Taking Folic Acid

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--In a poll released today, only 29 percent of women, age 18 to 45, are taking a daily multi-vitamin containing folic acid and 19 percent know that the B vitamin prevents birth defects. The March of Dimes (www.modimes.org), a non-profit agency that provides public awareness concerning infant health, commissioned The Gallup Organization to measure women's awareness for and consumption of folic acid in multi-vitamin form.

Based on results taken from 10,000 women over a six-year period, women age 18 to 45 were more aware of folic acid in 2001 (79 percent) compared to 1995 (52 percent). Only 19 percent knew that folic acid may prevent birth defects, but this was a considerable increase from the 4 percent who knew in 1995. However, just 7 percent of women age 18 to 45 knew that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy (a relatively good increase from the 2 percent who knew in 1995).

The poll reported that print and broadcast media are the leading sources for folic acid information for 48 percent of women. Twenty percent of women said they would be more likely to take folic acid if a doctor or health care provider recommended it, while 13 percent stated they would if someone reminded them daily. Low on the list of reasons why a woman might be more likely to take a folic acid multivitamin was to supplement a poor diet (3 percent) and if the pill was small (3 percent). "I think lots of times women are aware, but don't follow through," said a March of Dimes spokesperson. "I think the next step is a call for action, for doctors and other health professionals to remind women of child-bearing age to take folic acid to prevent birth defects."