P-43 Recognition of folic acid preventing neural tube defects and its intake among female students taking registered dietician training courses

摘要

After giving a lecture to enhance recognition of folic acid, which reduces the risk of neural tube defects, two surveys were conducted, involving 384 female students taking registered dietician training courses, to clarify awareness of the nutrient and its intake among them, respectively. The number of students who responded to both surveys was 147 (mean age: 19), and the mean folic acid intake among them was 213 μg. Those among the 102 and 45 students who answered and were 215 and 207 μg, respectively, showing no significant differences. Furthermore, the numbers of those who answered and were 16 (11%) and 127 (89%), respectively. Among all target students, those who subsequently graduated underwent the awareness survey again later, and 47 responded. All of them were aware of folic acid, as well as its relationship with neural tube defects, and 16 (34%) stated that folic acid intake is indispensable for pregnant females. As methods to ingest the nutrient, 21 (45%) mentioned dietary supplement use, while 15 (32%) regarded food as its only source of intake. The results of these surveys indicate the necessity of providing students with sufficient learning opportunities to enhance recognition of folic acid and promote its intake among them.