![]() Since there is a documented need for education on this topic for this age group, a pilot study was performed to evaluate the impact of a health promotion program. Additionally, studies have shown that college students tend to have poor nutrition and usually do not comply with dietary guidelines regarding fruit and vegetable intake, making folic acid supplementation essential in this age group. ![]() Only 27% of women aged 18-24 years reported daily vitamin use this reported use was the lowest of all of the age groups. Of those women who were familiar with folic acid, 12% of women aged 18-24 years indicated that physician or other healthcare professional had been the source of that information, compared to 41% of women aged 25-34 years and 35% of women aged 35-45 years. Only 8% of women aged 18-24 years knew that folic acid may prevent birth defects, and only 6% of women in this age group knew that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy. women aged 18-24 years knew the least about folic acid compared to women aged 25-34 years or 34-45 years. Survey results from the March of Dimes indicate many women in the U.S., especially college-age women, are still unaware of the need for daily folic acid intake to prevent neural tube defects. contain 400 mcg of folic acid, increasing multivitamin use among women of childbearing potential is an essential element of NTD prevention and a priority for U.S. 15, 21- 24 As most multivitamins sold in the U.S. 19 However, it is difficult for most women to obtain sufficient amounts of folic acid through food sources alone 20, 21 therefore, vitamin supplementation is recommended. Food and Drug Administration mandated fortification of cereal grain products including pasta, bread, and breakfast cereals with folic acid. 16, 18 Folic acid is a B vitamin found in certain foods, such as oranges, peanuts, and dark green leafy vegetables. Public Health Service and the Institute of Medicine have recommended that all women of childbearing potential consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily. 16 Because NTD occur early in pregnancy (often before many women know they are pregnant) and the rate of unintended pregnancy in the U.S. 14, 15ĭata have shown that sufficient folic acid intake before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can prevent 50%-70% of NTD. 14 Spina bifida, which often causes full or partial paralysis, affects approximately 1 in 2500 babies in the U.S. Anencephaly, a fatal defect, affects approximately 1 in every 4000 babies in the U.S. 12, 13 NTD result when the neural tube does not form correctly during the first month of pregnancy. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the spine (e.g., spina bifida) and brain (e.g., anencephaly) and are among the most common severe birth defects in the United States (U.S.). ![]() 7- 11 Educating women about folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD) is one example of the role a pharmacist or pharmacy student can fulfill in encouraging primary prevention. 1- 6 Public health is also recognized as a key component of pharmacy education, and there is much interest in increasing pharmacy students’ exposure to aspects of public health. Pharmacists and pharmacy students can make important contributions to protecting and improving public health, and various groups are advocating that they assume greater responsibilities in a range of activities including health education and health promotion.
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