Among Women Aged 18-40 in Ontario, Awareness of Folic Acid Higher Than in 1999 (80% vs 71%), But Only 49% Aware it is Beneficial to Pregnant Women
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos-Reid poll conducted for the Folic Acid Alliance of Ontario between August 1st and 15th, 2001. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 377 women aged 18 to 40 across Ontario. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 5.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire qualifying population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age composition reflects that of the actual population according to the 1996 Census data.
Other highlights from the research revealed that:
More Ontario Women Are Aware of Folic Acid Today Than in 1999, But Many Do Not Plan on Taking it
- Eight in ten (80%) Ontario women of child-bearing age are aware of folic acid. This figure has increased from 1999 when 71% indicated awareness of folic acid.
- While 65% of Ontario women of child-bearing age indicate that - if they were planning on having a child - they would be `very likely' (51%) or `somewhat likely' (14%) to take folic acid supplements, one quarter (23%) indicate they are `not very' (11%) or `not at all' (12%) to do so. Another 12% don't know if they would or not.
- Fewer than half (43%) of Ontario women of child-bearing age are currently taking a daily vitamin supplement. Of those who do, two thirds (67%) report taking one containing folic acid.
While Ontario Women of Child-Bearing Age Do Demonstrate Some Understanding of Folic Acid, There Are Knowledge Gaps
Among women in Ontario who are aware of folic acid:
- 49% are aware that folic acid is beneficial to pregnant women
- 62% do not feel they know enough about it to decide whether or not they should be taking it.
- 41% are not able to identify any specific foods that contain folic acid.
Six In Ten (59%) Ontario Women of Child-Bearing Age Have Heard Of Neural Tube Defects - That Is, Birth Defects Of The Spinal Cord, But Not All Understand The Potential Impact of Folic Acid on Fetal Health
Among women in Ontario who are aware of neural tube defects, some are very knowledgeable about the potential impact of folic acid:
- 77% know there is no cure for children born with neural tube defects.
- 75% are aware that neural tube defects can be detected before birth.
- 71% understand that folic acid may reduce the chances or even prevent a child being born with Spina Bifida or other neural tube defects.
- 67% understand that in order to prevent birth defects, they need to add a multivitamin with folic acid to their diet.
- 65% understand that in order for folic acid to prevent birth defects, a woman should start taking it before conception.
However, there are some misconceptions:
- Only three in ten (31%) understand that folic acid does not reduce the chances or even prevent a child being born with hearing difficulties.
- Only 33% understand that folic acid does not reduce the chances or even prevent the birth of a child being born with Down Syndrome.
- Just over one third (38%) correctly estimate the incidence of neural tube defects at one in every 1000 pregnancies.
- 58% are unable to even guess at the required daily number of milligrams of folic acid in order to prevent neural tube defects. About three in ten incorrectly over-estimate anywhere between 2 and 100 milligrams.
To view the complete release and tables, please download the attached PDF file.
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For more information on this news release, please contact:
Susan Oakes
Senior Research Manager
Healthcare Division
Ipsos-Reid
(416) 324-2900
