KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Folic acid is a vital micronutrient required during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and support fetal development. Despite its inclusion in routine antenatal care, many pregnant women lack adequate knowledge and hold varying attitudes and perceptions towards its use. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of folic acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of folic acid supplementation among pregnant women. The study was conducted at the two comprehensive health centers in Agege Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria (Sango Primary Health Care Center and Powerline Primary Healthcare Center). Cochran's formula was used to determine the sample size. A total of 149 pregnant women were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured, pretested questionnaire that covered socio-demographic information and items on knowledge, attitude, and perception related to folic acid use. The responses were scored and categorized into levels of knowledge (8-point rating scale: low; 0–4, high; 5-8), attitude (35-point scale: poor: 0–9, fair: 10-18, good: 19-28), and perception (24-point scale: poor: 0–8, fair: 9-16, good: 17-24). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while the chi-square test was used to test the relationship between knowledge and attitude with trimester and parity, at a 5% significance level. The mean age of the respondents was 35.05±8.02, the mean knowledge score was 4.64 ± 1.55, with 82 (67.1%) of respondents demonstrating high knowledge. The mean attitude score was 17.54 ± 3.18, with 62.4% exhibiting a neutral attitude, and 36.9% had positive attitude. For perception, the mean score was 17.36 ± 2.64, with the majority 100 (67.1%) having a good perception and 49 (32.9%) had a fair perception towards folic acid supplementation. Also, no significant association were found between knowledge and parity or trimester (r=1.12, p=0.29), (r-2.82, p= 0.24) and no significant association were found between attitude and parity or trimesters (r= 0.71, p= 0.14), (r= 0.137, p= 3.979). While the majority of pregnant women in Agege Local Government Area possess high knowledge and a good perception of folic acid supplementation, their attitudes remain largely fair. Despite routine antenatal care efforts, knowledge and attitude were not significantly associated with maternal parity or trimester. These findings underscore the need for more targeted, sustained health education strategies within antenatal clinics to enhance not only knowledge but also attitudes toward folic acid use throughout pregnancy, thereby supporting better maternal and fetal health outcomes.