Objectives: Folate is an essential nutrient associated with healthy pregnancy outcomes. Women of child-bearing age (WOCBA) are advised to maintain optimum blood folate status through adequate dietary folate intakes and folic acid from supplements. This study was aimed at assessing the level of knowledge, attitude, and perceived practice (KAP) among WOCBA on the importance of folate periconceptionally.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 184 healthy WOCBA in the Province of Batangas. The level of KAP was expressed as percent mean scores and were interpreted as poor, moderate, or high for knowledge and perceived practices and negative, neutral, or positive for attitude. Pearson's correlation of coefficient was used to measure the linear correlation between variables at a 95% level of significance.

Results: About 70% of respondents have heard of folate. The study showed a moderate level of knowledge, positive attitude, and moderate perceived practices related to folate among WOCBA. Age and civil status were associated with KAP. A significantly weak positive association (r=0.4, p<0.000) between the level of attitude and perceived practice related to folate was observed. Further, the level of knowledge showed significantly positive moderate association to attitude (r=0.7, p<0.000) and perceived practice (r=0.5, p<0.000).

Conclusion: Increasing the level of knowledge on folate suggests a positive attitude and a higher level of perceived practice. The findings of the study suggest a need to increase knowledge on folate among WOCBA, especially, in younger women. Also, there is a need to emphasize the importance of adequate folate intakes from food and folic acid supplements, periconceptionally.

Knowledge ; Attitude ; Folic Acid

Background and Objective: The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) is a systematic method used by dietitians to provide high-quality nutrition care resulting in good patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the NCP implementation and use of NCP Terminologies (NCPT) among hospital dietitians in the Philippines. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the knowledge, perception, and practices on NCP and use of NCPT and correlate them with the dietitians' education, and professional and employment profile; and explain the barriers and facilitators of the practice of NCP and use of NCPT among hospital dietitians in the Philippines. Methods: The knowledge, perception, and practices (KPP) on NCP and NCPT of the dietitians employed in the Philippine Department of Health’s licensed level 3 hospitals were determined using a validated questionnaire. Significant factors associated with the KPP were also determined. The barriers and facilitators of the practice of NCP and NCPT were determined using focus group discussion and key informant interviews of chief clinical dietitians and hospital administrators, respectively. Results: The study revealed that majority of the participants had a high level of knowledge on NCP and NCPT, positively perceived its implementation, and more than half of them implement NCP and NCPT in the hospitals. The participants’ knowledge on NCP and NCPT was significantly associated with research involvement and active membership in a professional organization. While the practice of NCP and NCPT was significantly associated with having NCP-related trainings, frequency of trainings, and active membership in a professional organization. The barriers to NCP implementation were insufficient resources; lack of orientation, trainings, and support; organizational and administrative constraints; pandemic constraints; insufficient time; and lack of confidence to conduct NCP. While the facilitators of implementation were collaboration, dedication, and commitment of the healthcare team; institutionalization of NCP laws and policies; budget allocation for NCP-related activities; monitoring and consistency of NCP implementation; and work schedule. Conclusion The findings suggest that the implementation of NCP and NCPT in the Philippines needs further support from the institution, professional organizations, and policy makers by developing strategies to cope with the barriers, and strengthen the facilitators and factors associated with practice.
Nutritionists ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Introduction: Folate deficiency is associated with many complications of pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors associated with deficiency in red blood cell (RBC) folate among Filipino women of child-bearing age in the Province of Batangas, Philippines. Methods: A total of 184 Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years were interviewed on their socio-economic and demographic profiles. Mean energy and folate intakes were obtained using food recalls over a three-month period. RBC folate was used to measure long-term folate status and analysed through immuno-assay method. Results: About two in ten women were folate deficient based on the normal cut-off points (<400 ng/mL) preventive of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies. Respondents have very low intake of folate at 81 and 239 micrograms dietary folate equivalent (µg DFE) from dietary sources and with folic acid supplementation, respectively. Vegetable gardening and livestock raising (p<0.10) and use of folic-acid containing supplements showed significant correlations with folate status (p<0.05). Further, regression analysis showed that among the significant factors, the non-usage of folic acid-containing supplements showed increased likelihood of RBC folate deficiency by six times compared to users (OR=6.391, p<0.10). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest a high prevalence of folate deficiency among Filipino women. Folate is an essential nutrient for healthy pregnancy. It is important that women, capable of bearing a child must assure adequate folate intake from foods and folic-acid containing supplements. The study recommends a more aggressive campaign on the importance of folate among women of child-bearing age.