Determination of the attitude and the perceptions of pregnant mothers towards folic acid supplementation at Kagote Health Centre III, Kabarole District. A cross sectional study.

Abstract

Background

Folic acid supplementation is essential for preventing neural tube defects in developing fetuses. Understanding attitudes and perceptions at Kagote Health Centre III is crucial for developing effective health interventions and improving maternal and child health outcomes. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the attitude and the perceptions of pregnant mothers towards folic acid supplementation at Kagote Health Centre III, Kabarole District.

Methodology

The study employed a descriptive cross sectional study design and questionnaires comprising of both structured and unstructured questions were used. Data collected was entered into Microsoft excel, 2013 and analyzed.

Results

Findings also revealed that 2(7%) of the respondents had bad pregnancy outcome while the majority 28 (93%) had no bad pregnancy outcome. Among those who had bad pregnancy, one had a miscarriage while the other had a newborn with neural tube defect. In addition, majority 28(93%) of the respondents will continue using folic acid supplements throughout the pregnancy since they had better perceptions for folic acid. Furthermore, findings revealed that that 2(7%) of the respondents had bad pregnancy outcome while the majority 28 (93%) had no bad pregnancy outcome. Among those who had bad pregnancy, one had a miscarriage while the other had a newborn with neural tube defect and so cannot continue using folic acid supplements throughout the pregnancy.

Conclusion

Most respondents had positive pregnancy outcomes and plan to continue using folic acid supplements. However, a few experienced adverse outcomes, influencing their decision against continued supplementation.

Recommendation

The researcher recommends nurses make another study on factors that promote adherence to folic acid supplementation so that neural birth defects and miscarriages are prevented.