Educational Program Based on Health Belief Model on Premarital Females' Perception Regarding Preconception Folic Acid Supplementation

Abstract

Background: Folic acid is essential for the fetus's growth and development. It has been demonstrated that taking folic acid supplements both before and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Aim: Evaluate the effect of educational program based on health belief model on premarital females' perception regarding preconception folic acid supplementation. Design: One group pre-post tested as part of a quasi-experimental design. Setting: The study was conducted at Atlas Medical Center in Helwan City. Sample: A purposive sampling of 122 premarital females. Tools: Three tools were used: (1) Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, (2) Knowledge assessment tool and (3) Health Belief Model Scale. Results: The current study shows that 77% of the participants had a low perception regarding preconception folic acid intake and 5.7% only had high perception at the pretest stage, while 51.6% at post education of those with low perception decreased to 8.2 % and those with high perception increased to 51.6 % at the posttest stage. Also, a significant improvement in knowledge level concerning preconception folic acid supplementation after the program's implementation in addition health belief model total score are significantly higher than pre-program implementation. Conclusion: The study concluded a positive correlation between the total level of knowledge and the health belief scores regarding preconception folic acid intake at both pre and post educational program of the premarital females who participated in the educational program. Recommendations: Increasing awareness among women of reproductive age about the importance and optimal timing of folic acid intake before conception