Knowledge and use of folic acid among college women: a pilot health promotion program led by pharmacy students and faculty
Bethany L. Murphy1,2, Natalie A. DiPietro2, Karen L. Kier2
- 1ONU HealthWise, Ada, OH, United States.
- 2Raabe College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, United States.
Received: 14-07-2010; Accepted: 26-09-2010.
Volume 8, Issue 4 · pp. 220–225 · PUBLISHED Oct-Dec 2010 · DOI:
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the impact of a pilot health promotion program on college women's knowledge regarding folic acid and prevention of neural tube defects (NTD) and frequency of multivitamin use. Methods: A health promotion program was developed by a pharmacy student and two pharmacy faculty members that included an oral presentation and reminder messages. A multiple-choice test assessing knowledge of folic acid and NTD and frequency of multivitamin use was given to participants before and immediately after the presentation. Participants then received a reminder message regarding folic acid once a week for three weeks. Knowledge and multivitamin use were re-assessed four weeks post-intervention. Results: Thirty-two college women voluntarily attended the oral presentation. Twenty-five women (78.2%) completed the four-week post-test. Compared to the pre-test, there were statistically significant increases in average test score (p<0.0001) and correct responses to questions regarding folic acid and NTD (p<0.05 for each question). Participants reported a statistically significant increase in regular (≥4 times/week) multivitamin use (p=0.023). Conclusion: Participants in the pilot health promotion program demonstrated a statistically significant increase in knowledge about folic acid and frequency of multivitamin use. A similarly-modeled health promotion program may be an effective way of increasing folic acid and NTD knowledge and changing behaviors of multivitamin use in college women.
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Murphy, B. L., DiPietro, N. A., & Kier, K. L. (2010). Knowledge and use of folic acid among college women: a pilot health promotion program led by pharmacy students and faculty. Pharmacy Practice, 8(4), 220–225.