KNOWLEDGE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLIC ACID IN THE PREVENTION OF NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS IN BUTEMBO TOWN, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

Introduction: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations resulting from a problem of neural tube closure, at an early stage in the development of the human embryo. Numerous studies have established that these malformations, although multifactorial, are correlated with low intakes of folic acid. These studies also mentioned that the additional intake of folic acid in the periconceptional period reduces the risk. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of women and caregivers on the importance of folic acid in the prevention of Neural Tube defects. Methods: it was about a prospective and participative cross-sectional study covering the period from January 15 to March 30, 2016. 400 women and caregivers were concerned with the study, and among them only 300 responded to the questionnaire. Results: 280 respondents (93.3%) were knowledgeable about folic acid. Attendance of pregnant women in preventive activities led to knowledge of folic acid in 65.7%. 9.6% of people we surveyed know the ideal period of administration of folic acid to prevent NTDs. Only 17.85% of our respondents know the importance of folic acid in preventing NTDs. The knowledge depended on the profession of respondents: 100% of surveyed caregivers know the NTDs. Conclusion: Caregivers are more informed than other people about the importance of folic acid in preventing NTDs. The prenatal consultation (PNC) has played a leading role in the knowledge of folic acid. On this basis, a preventive treatment by taking the folic acid in periconceptional period is strongly recommended to prevent this malformation.