Factors Associated with Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women Attended in a Philanthropic Maternity

Abstract

Folic acid is a vitamin of the B complex that has great importance for the growth and health of the fetus in closing the neural tube, in addition to preventing fetal diseases and malformations. The research aimed to verify the factors associated with folic acid supplementation in pregnant women attended at a philanthropic maternity hospital in São Luís - MA. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study, carried out from September to December 2018. A questionnaire was used containing socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle and reproductive data. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were measured. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Poisson regression method. Of the 130 pregnant women, 67.6% reported folic acid supplementation. During prenatal care, 86.15% had six or more consultations. They were associated with not using folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is in the first (RP: 0.44; CI: 0.27-0.74) and in the second trimester of pregnancy (RP: 0.30; CI: 0, 15-0.61) and have completed incomplete / complete elementary school (RP: 2.28; CI: 1.01-5.11). Action planning is necessary, emphasizing the benefits of folic acid supplementation from the period before conception until the 14th gestational week.