Prevalence and factors associated with folate deficiency among Filipino women of child-bearing age

M Talavera Maria Theresa, . and Gordoncillo Normahitta P., . and Recuenco Mariam C., . and Bernardo Aiza Kris M., . and Atienza Liezl M., . Prevalence and factors associated with folate deficiency among Filipino women of child-bearing age. pp. 229-243. ISSN 1394–035X

Introduction: Folate deficiency is associated with many complications of pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors associated with deficiency in red blood cell (RBC) folate among Filipino women of child-bearing age in the Province of Batangas Philippines. Methods: A total of 184 Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years were interviewed on their socio-economic and demographic profiles. Mean energy and folate intakes were obtained using food recalls over a three-month period. RBC folate was used to measure long-term folate status and analysed through immuno-assay method. Results: About two in ten women were folate deficient based on the normal cut-off points (400 ng/mL) preventive of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies. Respondents have very low intake of folate at 81 and 239 micrograms dietary folate equivalent (g DFE) from dietary sources and with folic acid supplementation respectively. Vegetable gardening and livestock raising (p0.10) and use of folic-acid containing supplements showed significant correlations with folate status (p0.05). Further regression analysis showed that among the significant factors the non-usage of folic acid-containing supplements showed increased likelihood of RBC folate deficiency by six times compared to users (OR6.391 p0.10). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest a high prevalence of folate deficiency among Filipino women. Folate is an essential nutrient for healthy pregnancy. It is important that women capable of bearing a child must assure adequate folate intake from foods and folic-acid containing supplements. The study recommends a more aggressive campaign on the importance of folate among women of child-bearing age.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/publication/26-2/V...

Abstract

Introduction: Folate deficiency is associated with many complications of pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors associated with deficiency in red blood cell (RBC) folate among Filipino women of child-bearing age in the Province of Batangas Philippines. Methods: A total of 184 Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years were interviewed on their socio-economic and demographic profiles. Mean energy and folate intakes were obtained using food recalls over a three-month period. RBC folate was used to measure long-term folate status and analysed through immuno-assay method. Results: About two in ten women were folate deficient based on the normal cut-off points (400 ng/mL) preventive of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies. Respondents have very low intake of folate at 81 and 239 micrograms dietary folate equivalent (g DFE) from dietary sources and with folic acid supplementation respectively. Vegetable gardening and livestock raising (p0.10) and use of folic-acid containing supplements showed significant correlations with folate status (p0.05). Further regression analysis showed that among the significant factors the non-usage of folic acid-containing supplements showed increased likelihood of RBC folate deficiency by six times compared to users (OR6.391 p0.10). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest a high prevalence of folate deficiency among Filipino women. Folate is an essential nutrient for healthy pregnancy. It is important that women capable of bearing a child must assure adequate folate intake from foods and folic-acid containing supplements. The study recommends a more aggressive campaign on the importance of folate among women of child-bearing age.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Folic acid
AGROVOC Term:	Deficiency diseases
AGROVOC Term:	Vitamin deficiencies
AGROVOC Term:	Blood sampling
AGROVOC Term:	Women
AGROVOC Term:	Pregnancy
AGROVOC Term:	Nutrient intake
AGROVOC Term:	Food supplementation
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional status
AGROVOC Term:	Disease prevalence
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9752

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