Folate deficiency among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Pumwani maternity hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.author Mgamb, Elizabeth Adhiambo
dc.date.accessioned 2018-05-18T08:14:35Z
dc.date.available 2018-05-18T08:14:35Z
dc.date.issued 2018-05-18
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4561
dc.description degree of Master of Science in Applied Epidemiology en_US
dc.description.abstract Folate deficiency is one of the micronutrient deficiencies of greatest public health concern, especially among women of child bearing age due to the potential consequences to the unborn baby. To address micronutrient deficiencies including folate, the Government of Kenya amended the food, drug and chemical substances act to have mandatory fortification of maize and wheat flour with folic acid. This study sought to determine the prevalence of folate deficiency and assess awareness and utilization of folic acid. A cross-sectional study of 247 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at Pumwani Maternity Hospital was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to interview study participants. Blood samples were collected from all study participants and serum folates analyzed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Of the 247 study participants, 2 (0.8%) had folate deficiency. One hundred and seventy-nine (73.4%) had heard about folic acid supplements while 56 (22.7%) had heard of folic acid fortified flour. Overall, 198 (80.2%) study participants consumed fortified brands of maize flour and 205 (84.4%) consumed fortified brands of wheat flour. In conclusion, the prevalence of folate deficiency was low possibly due to the implementation of mandatory folate fortification of maize and wheat flour. Although there was limited knowledge of fortified flour, utilization was high. The Ministry of Health should reinforce implementation of the legislation on maize flour and wheat flour fortification by all milling industries en_US
dc.description.sponsorship Prof. A. O. Makokha, PhD JKUAT, Kenya Dr. Peter Wanzala, PhD KEMRI, Kenya en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher JKUAT-COHES en_US
dc.subject antenatal clinic en_US
dc.subject Pumwani maternity hospital en_US
dc.subject Nairobi County en_US
dc.subject Folate deficiency en_US
dc.subject pregnant women en_US
dc.title Folate deficiency among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Pumwani maternity hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya en_US
dc.type Thesis en_US


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