妇女围受孕期叶酸服用情况及其对胎儿神经管缺陷的预防效果

目的: 了解北京市妇女围受孕期服用叶酸的依从性,探索服用叶酸对胎儿神经管缺陷(neural tube defects,NTDs)的预防效果,分析影响叶酸服用依从性的因素,并提出改善叶酸服用依从性的对策和建议。方法: 以通州区2013—2018年92 121例分娩妇女的常规孕期保健数据和人群出生缺陷监测数据为基础,计算妇女的叶酸服用率和依从服用率(即孕前开始且规律服用率), 并分析服用叶酸与NTDs发生率的关系,同时采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归模型分析叶酸依从服用率的影响因素,并提出改善妇女围受孕期叶酸服用依从性的对策。结果: 6年间,妇女围受孕期叶酸总服用率为90.08%,有微弱上升趋势,而叶酸依从服用率仅为41.5%,且呈明显下降趋势。服用叶酸的妇女其胎儿NTDs的发生率是(5.5/万)未服用叶酸者(19.7/万)的27.9% (χ²=23.74,P<0.001),而服用单纯叶酸片和服用含叶酸的多种微量营养素的NTDs发病率未见统计学差异。母亲围受孕期补充叶酸可以减少70%的NTDs发病风险(RR=0.28,95%CI:0.16~0.49),且对无脑畸形和脊柱裂亚型均有预防效果。控制混杂因素后,本地户籍、文化程度为高中及以上的妇女叶酸依从服用率高于外地户籍、文化程度为初中及以下的妇女(P<0.05),年龄小于25岁、孕前偏瘦或肥胖的妇女、经产妇的叶酸依从服用率低于相应对比组(P<0.05)。结论: 北京市通州区妇女围受孕期叶酸服用率较高,但服用依从性较低,妇女围受孕期未服用叶酸严重影响NTDs的预防效果。叶酸依从服用率受妇女的年龄、文化程度、职业、户籍地、产次等多种因素影响,应重点关注年龄小于25岁、体型消瘦或肥胖、文化程度较低、经产及夫妻均为外地户籍的妇女,以提高围受孕期叶酸服用的依从性,更好地发挥叶酸预防NTDs的效果。     

增补小剂量叶酸预防胎儿神经管缺陷讨论

目的：通过分析育龄妇女增补叶酸对神经管缺陷（neural tuber defects,NTDs）的预防作用和影响增补叶酸相关因素,探讨提高叶酸服用率和叶酸知晓水平的有效途径,为进一步探索提高妇女叶酸增补率以提高增补叶酸预防NTDs效果。方法对计划怀孕与非计划怀孕的育龄妇女孕前-围孕期增补叶酸。结果育龄妇女围孕期增补叶酸可有效预防NTDs,但由于多种因素影响,育龄妇女叶酸增补剂服用依从率较低。结论育龄妇女孕前-围孕期增补小剂量叶酸可有效预防NTDs。     

云南省育龄妇女围孕期服用叶酸状况及其影响因素研究

背景　妇女围孕期增补叶酸是预防神经管缺陷的有效干预措施之一，并且预防效果受到叶酸服用量和服用时间的影响。2019年我国将“增补叶酸预防神经管缺陷项目”纳入基本公共卫生服务内容。目的　了解我国云南省育龄妇女围孕期叶酸增补情况及其影响因素，为提高叶酸干预效果提供依据。方法　利用云南省16个市（自治州）2018年参加“国家免费孕前优生项目”妇女数据，对完成了孕早期随访且叶酸服用状况完整的33 173例育龄妇女的叶酸服用状况及其影响因素进行分析。结果　2018年云南省育龄妇女围孕期叶酸服用率为93.81%〔95%CI（93.55%，94.07%）〕，叶酸规范服用率为47.16%〔95%CI（46.62%，47.70%）〕。不同市（自治州）妇女围孕期叶酸服用率和叶酸规范服用率差异较大，多数市（自治州）的叶酸服用率在85%以上，但叶酸规范服用率相对较低，文山壮族苗族自治州的育龄妇女围孕期叶酸规范服用率最低，仅为27.47%。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，年龄、受教育程度、职业、居住地区是育龄妇女叶酸服用率的影响因素（P<0.05）；年龄、受教育程度、分娩史、流产史、居住地区是育龄妇女叶酸规范服用率的影响因素（P<0.05）。结论　云南省育龄妇女围孕期叶酸服用状况良好，但叶酸规范服用率相对较低，各市（自治州）差异较大。因此，要关注年龄较小、受教育程度较低、职业为农民、有分娩史及流产史的妇女围孕期叶酸服用状况，加强健康教育，进一步提高妇女围孕期叶酸服用率和规范服用率。     

江门市育龄及孕期妇女增补叶酸预防NTDs的KAP现况调查

目的了解江门地区育龄及孕期妇女增补叶酸预防神经管畸形(NTDs)的知、信、行现况。方法随机选取我市育龄及孕期妇女为调查对象,采用自行编制的问卷对其叶酸增补的知、信、行状况进行调查,并对数据进行单因素分析。结果获得1 003份有效调查问卷,愿意服用叶酸的比率为98.60%,763名妊娠期妇女的叶酸服用率为79.16%。既往怀孕和生育次数可显著影响妇女对叶酸增补知识的知晓率和增补行为,文化程度高者和年龄高者对叶酸增补知识的知晓率更高、增补行为更正确科学,但本科学历以上者对于基层医院提供免费叶酸的知晓率最低。结论实施出生缺陷"三级干预措施",加强叶酸增补预防NTDs的宣教,普及优生知识有待进一步提高。     

早孕期妇女叶酸服用现状及神经管畸形认知度调查

目的了解孕期妇女服用叶酸的现状和对神经管畸形(NTDs)认知度,以及了解孕妇对叶酸等相关知识的知晓率与受教育程度、家庭收入和年龄等的相关性,促进孕期妇女对出生缺陷预防的认识。方法采用自行编制问卷对重庆市主城区204名正常早中孕期妇女进行调查,并对相关指标间进行单因素χ2分析。结果在参与调查的204名早中孕期妇女中,其中93名(45.6%)知道叶酸的功能;173例(84.8%)知道胚胎发育早期体内叶酸缺乏可能会影响胎儿神经系统的发育;96名(47.1%)知道NTDs的分类;124名(60.8%)认为怀孕时体内缺乏叶酸是NTDs发生的可能原因。孕妇的年龄和受教育程度对NTDs发病原因的知晓率差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);孕妇的年龄、家庭收入和受教育程度对叶酸缺乏后果的知晓率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。血清叶酸平均水平检测值为(28.86±10.73)ng/mL,未发现叶酸缺乏者。结论需进一步加强妊娠期妇女对叶酸服用和NTDs预防的认识。     

天津市某区准备妊娠及孕期妇女服用叶酸情况及其影响因素分析

目的:探讨天津市北辰区准备妊娠和孕期妇女服用叶酸情况及影响因素分析.方法:选取10 169例准备妊娠和孕期妇女,采用血清学检测及流行病学问卷调查的方法,根据调查对象的一般情况,叶酸相关知识认知情况,叶酸服用情况,评价天津市北辰区孕期妇女服用叶酸情况. 结果:10 169例准备妊娠和孕期妇女中667名女性血清叶酸值低于正常水平,占总人数的6.6%,叶酸服用率为88.3%,其中,完全按医嘱定时定量服用的人数占34.2%,未遵医嘱服用,但经常服用的人数占38.7%,偶尔服用的人数占15.4%,未服用的人数占11.7%,按医嘱和经常服用的孕期妇女所占比例高于偶尔服用和未服用的(P<0.05).听说过叶酸人数占58.7%,知晓叶酸为维生素类保健品的人数占29.3%,知晓叶酸可预防神经管缺陷(NTDs)的人数占32.5%,知晓叶酸正确服用时间的人数占13.5%,听说过叶酸的孕期妇女所占比例最高(P<0.05).单因素分析结果显示,教育程度、家庭人均月收入、是否知道叶酸的作用、是否属计划怀孕、有无生育缺陷史是影响孕期妇女叶酸服用率的主要因素.结论:为改善天津市北辰区准备妊娠和孕期妇女服用叶酸情况,有必要加强叶酸相关知识普及力度,提高孕期妇女对叶酸的认知度,进而提高该区的优生优育水平.     

妇女围受孕期服用叶酸或含叶酸的多种微量营养素补充剂与早产的关联性研究

目的：探索自然受孕、单胎妊娠、阴道自然分娩妇女围受孕期服用叶酸或含叶酸的多种微量营养素补充剂与早产发生风险的关联。方法：基于北京市通州区妇幼保健院孕期保健系统和医院信息系统开展回顾性队列研究，收集2015年1月至2018年12月自然受孕、单胎妊娠、在北京市通州区妇幼保健院进行产前保健并阴道自然分娩的16 332名孕产妇的信息，将妇女服用营养补充剂的开始时间与频率相结合形成依从性得分。采用Logistic回归模型分析妇女围受孕期是否服用单纯叶酸片(folic acid, FA)或含叶酸的多种微量营养素补充剂(multiple-micronutrients containing folic acid, MMFA)、服用方式、服用依从性得分与早产率的关系。结果：研究人群的早产率(孕周<37周)为3.8%,平均孕龄为(38.98±1.37)周，其中，有6 174(37.8%)名妇女在围受孕期服用了FA,8 646(52.9%)名服用了MMFA,1 512(9.3%)名未服用任何营养补充剂。与未服用营养补充剂的妇女相比，服用FA或MMFA与早产的关联没有统计学意义[调整后的比值比(adju...     

某三甲医院孕妇服用叶酸的依从性的影响因素调查

目的调查在本院实行产前检查的孕妇服用叶酸的依从性的各种影响因素。方法选取自2017年6月至2018年12月在本院遗传优生门诊咨询、产前检查350名孕妇用自制问卷表,通过面谈接触实行调查影响孕妇服用叶酸的依从性因素。研究对孕妇服用叶酸的依从性影响的相关性因素。结果在被调查350名孕妇中,叶酸服用率为76%,年龄、职业、文化程度、是否计划妊娠、胎次、叶酸认知水平(本人以及丈夫)、家属是否支持孕妇服用叶酸等是孕妇服用叶酸的直接影响因素。结论提高叶酸服用率,规范性以及提高增补叶酸的依从性,要靠社会大力宣传有关叶酸知识,单靠医务人员宣教是远远达不到要求,国家要求90%服用率。在大城市三甲医院中孕妇服用率也不是太理想,还需要国家从多方面考虑,为提高人口质量,如何提高孕妇服用叶酸依从性仍然是一项持久的工作。     

专业人员叶酸认知及行为干预对孕妇叶酸服用依从性的影响

目的了解专业人员对孕妇服用叶酸的行为干预及其自身对叶酸预防知识的掌握情况,探讨专业人员对孕妇服用叶酸行为依从性的影响,为提高育龄妇女叶酸服用依从性提供科学依据。方法选择甘肃省两个县妊娠后3个月至产后1年的妇女为研究对象,通过面对面的问卷调查及对专业人员的小组访谈获取相关资料。结果专业人员告知叶酸服用时间、剂量及定期督导对孕妇服用叶酸依从行为程度的比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。专业人员在叶酸推广中宣传工作不到位、向育龄妇女通知不到位、专业人员队伍不稳定、专业人员培训不到位及素质偏低、对工作重视不够、工作不够积极和态度差及其他因素对叶酸服用依从性的影响率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论提高医生等专业人员的叶酸预防知识,加强对育龄妇女叶酸服用知识的宣传及督导作用是提高妇女叶酸有效依从行为降低无效依从行为的重要保证。     

围受孕期服用微量营养增补剂与孕早期血清维生素E浓度的关系

目的: 探究妇女围受孕期服用微量营养增补剂对孕早期血清维生素E(vitamin E，Vit.E)水平的影响。方法: 以2016年1月至2018年12月北京市通州区妇幼保健院的孕期保健和医院信息系统中22 171位分娩妇女的孕期保健及血液检查数据为基础进行回顾性队列研究，以围受孕期服用营养增补剂[单纯叶酸(folic acid，FA)或复方微量营养增补剂(multiple micronutrients，MM)]情况为自变量，孕早期血清Vit.E浓度和血清Vit.E浓度是否≥11.2 mg/L为结局变量，分别采用广义线性回归模型和Logistic回归模型分析自变量与结局变量的关系。结果: 妇女孕早期血清Vit.E浓度为5.2~24.0 mg/L，中位浓度为10.1(8.8~11.6) mg/L。服用MM的妇女孕早期血清Vit.E过量率为0.3%，未服用营养增补剂和服用单纯FA的妇女Vit.E过量率为0.1%。关于血清Vit.E浓度，服用MM的妇女比未服用营养增补剂及服用FA者高(P均 < 0.05)，孕前开始服用FA或MM比孕后开始服用高(P均 < 0.05)，规律服用比不规律服用高(P均 < 0.05)，且服用FA和服用MM的两组妇女血清Vit.E浓度均随服用依从性提高而升高(P < 0.05)。关于孕早期血清Vit.E浓度≥11.2 mg/L的风险，服用MM的妇女风险高于未服用营养增补剂及服用单纯FA者(OR=1.36，95%CI：1.21~1.53；OR=1.39，95%CI：1.31~1.48)，孕前开始服用FA或MM者比孕后开始服用高(OR=0.86，95%CI：0.77~0.96；OR=0.88，95%CI：0.81~0.95)，规律服用较不规律服用风险高(OR=1.16，95%CI：1.05~1.29；OR=1.13，95%CI：1.04~1.22)；且随依从性提高，服用MM者该风险升高(OR=1.10，95%CI：1.07~1.14)，但服用FA者该风险未见升高(OR=1.04，95%CI：1.00~1.08)。结论: 北京地区妇女孕早期Vit.E营养状况总体较好，其中服用MM的妇女孕早期血清Vit.E过量率较高，提示围受孕期妇女应考虑自身Vit.E营养状况选择营养增补剂配方，以免导致相关健康危害。     

中国妇女妊娠前后单纯服用叶权对神经管畸形的预防效果

目的 评价妇女在妊娠前后服用单纯４００μｇ叶酸增补剂对胎／婴儿神经管畸形（ＴＮＤｓ）的预防效果。方法 １９９３￣１９９５年在中国北方的ＴＮＤｓ高发地区和南方的ＮＴＤｓ低发地区妇女增补叶酸的推广项目中,共募集从孕前或孕后任何时间开始服药的妇女１１７６８９名;设计的服药方法从婚栓时开始到孕满３个月为止,每天服用单纯叶酸片４００μｇ;最后对妇女的分娩结局进行监测并进行预防效果的对比评价研究。结果 服药组     

Recommendations on the use of folic acid supplementation to prevent the recurrence of neural tube defects. Clinical Teratology Committee, Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the recurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in families at increased risk of having offspring with NTDs with the use of periconceptional folic acid supplementation. OPTIONS: Genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis of NTDs. OUTCOMES: NTDs cause stillbirth, neonatal death and severe disabilities. The cost for medical care and rehabilitation in the first 10 years of life of a child with spina bifida cystica was estimated to be $42,507 in 1987. EVIDENCE: The authors reviewed the medical literature, communicated with investigators from key studies, reviewed policy recommendations from other organizations and drew on their own expertise. A recent multicentre randomized controlled trial showed that among women at high risk of having a child with an NTD those who received 4 mg/d of folic acid had 72% fewer cases of NTD-affected offspring than nonsupplemented women. Two previous intervention studies also demonstrated that folic acid supplementation was effective in reducing the rate of NTD recurrence. Several retrospective studies support this conclusion. VALUES: Recommendations are the consensus of the Clinical Teratology Committee of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) and have been approved by the CCMG Board. The committee believes that primary prevention of NTDs is preferable to treatment or to prenatal detection and abortion. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: Folic acid supplementation should result in fewer NTDs among infants in Canada and ancillary savings in medical costs. The recommended dosage of folic acid is not known to be associated with adverse effects. Higher dosages of folic acid may make vitamin B12 deficiency difficult to diagnose and may alter seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy due to drug interactions with anticonvulsants. RECOMMENDATIONS: A minimum dosage of folic acid of 0.8 mg/d, not to exceed 5.0 mg/d, is recommended along with a well-balanced, nutritious diet for all women who are at increased risk of having offspring with NTDs and who are planning a pregnancy or may become pregnant. Supplementation should begin before conception and continue for at least 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. VALIDATION: These guidelines are similar to those of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health in Britain. SPONSORS: These guidelines were developed by the CCMG Clinical Teratology Committee and endorsed by the Board of the CCMG. No funding for the development of these guidelines was obtained from any other sources.     

Physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding periconceptional folic acid supplementation: a survey in Southern Israel.

BACKGROUND: Pre-conceptional folic acid supplementation is an effective way to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Primary care providers are an important source of information to promote folic acid intake. This study aimed at evaluating primary care physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding folic acid supplementation for childbearing women. MATERIAL/METHODS: A questionnaire on physicians' knowledge and attitudes, mostly including multiple-choice questions, was delivered by mail to all physicians (n=370) in a large health provider organization in southern Israel in 2006. Data regarding demographics as well as type of specialty, experience, and place of work were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-seven physicians were included in the study (response rate: 24%). Seventy physicians out of 81 (94%) reported routine recommendation of folic acid for their patients. Most physicians admitted that they needed more information regarding folic acid supplementation. Knowledge about folic acid's role in preventing congenital anomalies was suboptimal, with 2% of the physicians correctly estimating the efficacy of folic acid in decreasing the risk of NTDs and 8% recognizing the association between folic acid supplementation and decreased prevalence of malformations other than NTDs. Knowledge about the correct timing (12%) and dosage (47%) of folic acid preparations for average-risk women was also lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians report that they routinely prescribe folic acid to women in childbearing age in order to prevent congenital anomalies, but their knowledge about folic acid supplementation is insufficient.     

神经管畸形与还原叶酸载体基因(RFC1 A80G)多态性及可疑危险因素的流行病学研究

目的:探讨还原叶酸载体基因(Reduced folate carrier gene,RFC1)A80G多态性及可疑危险因素对神经管畸形(neural tube defects,NTDs)的影响,为寻找NTDs的遗传易感标志物提供流行病学依据.方法:采用限制性片段长度多态性-聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP-PCR)方法,对104个NTDs儿核心家庭和100个健康对照儿核心家庭RFC1 A80G多态性进行检测,并且对家系成员RFC1基因型及其他因素进行单因素和多因素分析,在控制其他因素后观察RFC1基因型、母亲孕早期未增补叶酸对NTDs的独立影响,对NTDs杂合子父母G等位基因进行传递不平衡检验(transmission/disequilibrium test,TDT).结果:NTDs患儿G等位基因频率(64.42%)高于对照儿(52.53%),并且差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.9198,P＜0.05);在单因素分析中,携带RFC1 GG基因型的子代发生NTDs危险高于AA基因型子代(OR=2.56,95% CI=1.04～6.36),母亲孕早期未增补叶酸,生育NTDs的危险高于增补叶酸的母亲(OR=7.69,95% CI=2.86～21.75),其他危险因素(如父亲年龄、母亲孕早期发热、母亲自然流产史)在病例对照之间差异有统计学意义;在多因素Logistic回归分析中,子代RFC1 GG基因型(OR=2.91,95% CI=1.35～6.30)、母亲孕早期未增补叶酸(OR=4.32,95%CI=1.62～11.55)、母亲孕早期发热(OR=3.22,95%CI=1.26～8.26)对NTDs的发病危险具有统计学意义.TDT结果显示,RFC1基因G等位基因与NTDs之间存在关联(χ2=5.236,P＜0.05).结论:在该研究人群中,RFC1 GG基因型可能是NTDs发生的遗传易感基因之一,母亲孕早期未增补叶酸、发热对NTDs的发病也具有重要影响.     

北京通州台湖地区65岁以上高血压老人心理健康现况及影响因素研究

目的 调查北京市通州区台湖地区65岁以上高血压老人的心理健康状况并探索其影响因素。方法 采用横断面的研究设计,选取台湖地区1 500名65岁以上高血压老人开展问卷调查。依据因变量类型分别采用多元逐步线性回归及逐步Logistic回归进行影响因素分析。结果 本研究应答率为93.9%,研究对象中共计502名老人患有不同程度的焦虑症状,焦虑的患病率为35.6%;426名老人患有不同程度的抑郁,抑郁患病率为30.2%,其中重度抑郁的患病率为4.6%。通州台湖地区高血压患者的主观幸福感平均水平为（64.755±15.321）分。焦虑的影响因素分析结果显示：独立程度（OR=0.094,P<0.001）、用药是否有不良反应（OR=0.002,P<0.001）、血压控制是否满意（OR=0.055,P=0.001）、睡眠质量（OR=0.173,P<0.001）、服药依从性（OR=0.038,P<0.001）有统计学意义。抑郁的影响因素分析结果显示：婚姻状况（OR=2.408,P=0.007）、独立程度（OR=0.354,P<0.001）、疾病认知程度（OR=1.719,P=0.042）、脑血管病史（OR=0.347,P=0.026）、用药是否有不良反应（OR=0.291,P=0.001）、血压控制是否满意（OR=0.306,P=0.002）、睡眠质量（OR=0.233,P<0.001）、服药依从性（OR=0.241,P=0.001）有统计学意义。主观幸福感影响因素分析结果提示：婚姻状况（β=-3.432,P<0.001）、独立程度（β=5.814,P=0.001）、环境满意度（β=0.748,P=0.001）、焦虑（β=-0.454,P<0.001）、抑郁（β=-0.718,P<0.001）、脑血管病史（β=3.896,P<0.001）、用药是否有不良反应（β=-5.788,P<0.001）、血压控制是否满意（β=5.292,P<0.001）、睡眠质量（β=1.052,P<0.001）、服药依从性（β=3.893,P<0.001）有统计学意义。结论 北京市通州区台湖地区高血压老年患者的心理健康状况较好;焦虑和抑郁往往伴随发生;通过提高疾病认知程度、选择不良反应小的高血压控制药物、改善睡眠质量,督促患者服药可能有助于缓解焦虑抑郁发生;焦虑抑郁的发生与主观幸福感的降低有很大关联性,通过调节焦虑抑郁可能有助于间接提升主观幸福感。     

Impact of folic acid fortification of the US food supply on the occurrence of neural tube defects.

CONTEXT: Daily consumption of 400 microg of folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy dramatically reduces the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Before food fortification, however, only an estimated 29% of US reproductive-aged women were taking a supplement containing 400 microg of folic acid daily. The US Food and Drug Administration authorized addition of folic acid to enriched grain products in March 1996, with compliance mandatory by January 1998. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of food fortification with folic acid on NTD birth prevalence. DESIGN, SETTING, AND POPULATION: National study of birth certificate data for live births to women in 45 US states and Washington, DC, between January 1990 and December 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Birth certificate reports of spina bifida and anencephaly before fortification (October 1995 through December 1996) compared with after mandatory fortification (October 1998 through December 1999). RESULTS: The birth prevalence of NTDs reported on birth certificates decreased from 37.8 per 100 000 live births before fortification to 30.5 per 100 000 live births conceived after mandatory folic acid fortification, representing a 19% decline (prevalence ratio [PR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.87). During the same period, NTD birth prevalence declined from 53.4 per 100 000 to 46.5 per 100 000 (PR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.64-1.18) for women who received only third-trimester or no prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: A 19% reduction in NTD birth prevalence occurred following folic acid fortification of the US food supply. However, factors other than fortification may have contributed to this decline.     

"Folate before pregnancy": the impact on women and health professionals of a population-based health promotion campaign in South Australia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a South Australian campaign to promote and implement knowledge that taking adequate folate/folic acid in the periconceptional period can reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. DESIGN AND SETTING: The campaign, conducted in October 1994--August 1995, targeted women of reproductive age and health professionals. Evaluation was by computer-assisted telephone interviews undertaken by random dialling throughout the State before and after the campaign, and by self-administered questionnaires to health professionals and women in the postnatal period. PARTICIPANTS: Women of reproductive age and four groups of health professionals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge about folate, folate-rich foods and the periconceptional period; participation of health professionals in advising women about folate; use of periconceptional folic acid supplements; sales of folic acid tablets; and prevalence of neural tube defects. RESULTS: Significant increases in knowledge about folate followed the campaign. Health professionals and women in the postnatal period had higher initial levels of knowledge about folate, which also increased significantly. The proportions of women taking periconceptional folic acid supplements, and of health professionals advising women planning a pregnancy about folate, also increased significantly, and folic acid tablet sales doubled. Total prevalence of neural tube defects declined between 1966 and 1999 from a baseline of 2.0 per 1,000 births to 1.1 per 1,000 births (Poisson regression, P= 0.03; average decline of 1.0% per year). CONCLUSIONS: A short educational campaign with a limited budget ($40,000) can promote folate successfully, but alternative strategies such as food fortification are likely to be needed to achieve adequate periconceptional folate intake for a very high proportion of women.