Periconceptional Folic Acid Supplementation in Chinese Women： A Cross-sectional Study

Objective To investigate the status of folic acid （FA） supplementation and determinants of its use inpregnant Chinese women Methods In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires were used to collect information of participantsand FA supplementation. Women were recruited between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum in Tianjin, China,between July 2015 and July 2016 Results A total of 1,921 women were recruited in the study. Approximately 93.1% of the studyparticipants used FA, while 14.4% of the women taking FA from three months prior to preconception tothree months post-conception. Women who took FA for three months prior to preconception throughat least three months into their pregnancy were more likely to be between 30 and 34 years old （OR =2.91, 95% CI： 1.15, 7.33）, employed （OR = 2.07, 95% CI： 1.17, 3.67）, primigravida （OR = 5.20, 95% CI：3.02, 8.96）, married to spouses with an intermediate education level （OR = 2.92, 95% CI： 1.45, 5.89）, andearn a high family income （OR = 3.19, 95% CI： 1.57, 6.49） Conclusion The prevalence of periconceptional FA intake was far below the requirements of theNational Health and Family Planning Commission of China; therefore, knowledge of FA supplementationshould be strengthened among women who are or planning to become pregnant.