Eleanor Bimla Schwarz|Mindy Sobota|Ralph Gonzales|Barbara Gerbert
Computerized Counseling for Folate Knowledge and Use
Magee-Womens Research Institute|University of Pittsburgh|Montefiore Medical Center|University of California, San Francisco|University of California, San Francisco
background periconception folate supplementation significantly reduces risk neuraltube defects us women start folate supplementation pregnancy amount clinician time available counsel patients folate limited study evaluated whether computerassisted counseling provision free folate tablets increases womens knowledge use folate supplements design randomized controlled trial followup began 6 months enrollment completed average 7 months enrollment settingparticipants total 446 women aged 1845 years recruited two urgent care clinics san francisco march july 2005 data collection completed 2006 data analyzed 2007 intervention participants received 15minute computerized educational session 200 folate tablets main outcome measures primary outcome knowledge folate prevent birth defects secondary outcomes included selfreported use folate supplement followup results followup women intervention group likely know folate prevents birth defects 46 vs 27 relative risk rr172 95 ci132 223 know folate important early pregnancy 36 vs 17 rr211 95 ci150 297 report recent use folate supplement 32 vs 21 rr154 95 ci112 213 conclusions onetime brief computerized counseling session folate provision free folate tablets increased knowledge use folate supplements among women 6 months later trial registration nct00177515 periconception folate supplementation significantly reduces risk neuraltube defects us women start folate supplementation pregnancy amount clinician time available counsel patients folate limited study evaluated whether computerassisted counseling provision free folate tablets increases womens knowledge use folate supplements randomized controlled trial followup began 6 months enrollment completed average 7 months enrollment total 446 women aged 1845 years recruited two urgent care clinics san francisco march july 2005 data collection completed 2006 data analyzed 2007 participants received 15minute computerized educational session 200 folate tablets primary outcome knowledge folate prevent birth defects secondary outcomes included selfreported use folate supplement followup followup women intervention group likely know folate prevents birth defects 46 vs 27 relative risk rr172 95 ci132 223 know folate important early pregnancy 36 vs 17 rr211 95 ci150 297 report recent use folate supplement 32 vs 21 rr154 95 ci112 213 onetime brief computerized counseling session folate provision free folate tablets increased knowledge use folate supplements among women 6 months later