The effect of education for Folic Acid consumption based on the theory of planned behavior in pregnant women in Mashhad

Folic Acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in fetuses and preterm labor and preterm birth complications such as loss of a member. This study was aimed to investigate the consumption of folic acid to prevent Neural tube deficiency based on the theory of planned behavior on pregnant women in Mashhad city.
This quasi-experimental study was done on 180 pregnant women referred to health center No. 1 in Mashhad town who were allocated to case (90) and control (90) groups randomly in 2014. Intervention was done in four 60 minute sessions. The obtained data was fed into SPSS software (v: 22).
the average rates of knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control and intention to use of Folic Acid intervention group was increased 3 months after the intervention significantly (P0.05).
Regarding the effect of education in promoting Folic Acid consumption in pregnant women, It seems necessary to extend these training sessions throughout the community and for married women and even college women can be effective.