Dobie Gasim, Al-Hazazi Nouf, Nahari Maram, Sabyani Areej M, Essawi Khaled, Mobarki Abdullah A, Hakami Waleed, Alqahtani Naema A, Almalki Bandar M, Farah Asma M, Hakami Adel M, Musawi Shaqraa, Alhakami Fatemah A, Alfoud Mohamed Y, Alyahyawi Yara, Madkhali Aymen M, Hakamy Ali, Chandika Rama, Saboor Muhammad, Hanin Amnah, Akhter Mohammad S, Hamali Hassan A
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Jazan University Hospital, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Dec 31;28(12):175-185. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.18.
Folic acid (FA) plays a crucial role in various biological processes. Insufficient intake of FA during pregnancy can lead to serious clinical complications, including neural tube defect. The current study sought to assess the awareness, knowledge, and usage of FA among young females in Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 472 adult females from October 1 to 9, 2023, in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire of the study was randomly distributed among females. The data showed that awareness and usage of FA supplementation were poor to fair among females. Furthermore, socio-demographic variables, including age, marital status, monthly income, education levels, number of pregnancies, and current pregnancy status, were found to be associated with awareness and utilization of FA supplementation. The study highlights the need to enhance awareness and knowledge of FA supplementation among females in the Jazan region. Introducing educational programs is essential in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Jazan region, to enhance the knowledge and awareness of FA within the community.
叶酸（FA）在各种生物过程中起着至关重要的作用。孕期叶酸摄入不足会导致严重的临床并发症，包括神经管缺陷。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯吉赞地区年轻女性对叶酸的认知、知识和使用情况。这项横断面描述性研究于2023年10月1日至9日在沙特阿拉伯吉赞地区对472名成年女性进行。该研究的问卷在女性中随机发放。数据显示，女性对叶酸补充剂的认知和使用情况较差至一般。此外，研究发现社会人口统计学变量，包括年龄、婚姻状况、月收入、教育水平、怀孕次数和当前怀孕状态，与叶酸补充剂的认知和使用有关。该研究强调了提高吉赞地区女性对叶酸补充剂的认知和知识的必要性。在沙特阿拉伯，特别是在吉赞地区，引入教育项目对于提高社区内对叶酸的知识和认知至关重要。
