AWARENESS OF FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION FOR PREVENTING NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS AMONG GYNECOLOGISTS AND PEDIATRIC SURGEONS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Neural tube defects, folic acid, gynecologists, pediatric surgeons, Pakistan, awareness.
Abstract
Introduction: Folic acid therapy can help prevent severe prenatal deformities such as neural tube defects (NTDs). However, despite international campaigns, folic acid awareness and practice in Pakistan remain low and should be assessed among healthcare providers.
Objectives: The study's goal is to investigate the knowledge and perceived practicability of folic acid supplementation for NTD prevention among gynaecologists and pediatric surgeons in Karachi, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Cantt General Hospital Rawalpindi and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore for six months from March, 2025 to August, 2025. It included 120 participants. Structured questionnaires were employed to collect the data which are descriptively analyzed to determine awareness, practices and barriers.
Results: For folic acid, 85% of the participants were informed about its use to prevent NTDs, but only 50% were informed about the dose, and only 40% were informed about the periconceptional period. Some of the obstacles were low levels of patient awareness (65%) and the absence of organizational protocols (30%).
Conclusion: Raising awareness, modification of policies and public health initiatives and advocacy should be used in the fight against lack of knowledge pertaining to folic acid supplementation.
References
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Dr Mona Kanwal Naz
Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cantt General Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dr Neena Jamil
Tanweer Ahmed Medical Centre Lahore, Pakistan
Hifza Asghar
Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, Pakistan
Dr Nuzhat Malik Awan
Senior Registrar Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amna Inayat Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Dr Abida Asghar
Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Narowal Medical College Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan
Dr Naseer Hassan
Associate Professor/ Chairman Neurosurgery and Neurotrauma, Department, Nowshera Medical College/ Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera, Pakistan
