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Promoting Pre-Conceptional Use of Folic Acid to Hispanic Women: A Social Marketing Approach

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Abstract

Objective: To develop a culturally appropriate communication initiative in an effort to promote the use of pre-conceptional folic acid among Hispanic women of childbearing age. The materials were designed to communicate information about the risks of neural tube defects and the value of folic acid supplementation before conception. Methods: The initiative was developed using a social marketing approach. A series of focus groups were conducted with Hispanic women, particularly Mexican and Mexican-American women, to gain an understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding birth defects and folic acid. Additionally focus groups assessed women's preferences for existing folic acid education materials. Qualitative analysis of coded transcripts revealed key themes which were incorporated into a multi-media initiative. Results: Critical themes of the research highlighted the need to include the role of partners and a sense of family in the promotions aimed at these groups. Another key component was the need to dispel myths which act as barriers to pre-conceptional folic acid use. Other important elements included in the media products were the need for Spanish and English versions, an explanation of neural tube defects, and a reference to the cost of the supplements. Conclusion: The final products of the initiative included Spanish and English versions of a brochure, photo-novella, and radio public service announcement. Pre-testing results showed women understood the message, thought the message was for women like them, and expected to begin taking a folic acid supplement. Results of the overall evaluation of the initiative are on-going.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge Alayne Unterberger for conducting the formative research on the project and Mark Peredo, President, Viacorp, Inc. for the development of the photo novella and Beth Reynolds, PhotoDocumentaryPress, for photographing the women. This research was supported from the March of Dimes Mission Investment Opportunity Program grant and from the March of Dimes Florida Chapter Community Grant program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Gwendolyn P. Quinn PhD

  2. Birth Defects Surveillance Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Kimberlea Hauser MBA, Nydia Y. Rodriguez MPH & Jaime L. Frías MD

  3. Department of Educational Measurement and Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Bethany A. Bell-Ellison MPH

  4. MDC 44, MRC-CANCONT, 12902 Magnolia Drive, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33612, USA

    Gwendolyn P. Quinn PhD

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  1. Gwendolyn P. Quinn PhD
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  2. Kimberlea Hauser MBA
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  3. Bethany A. Bell-Ellison MPH
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  4. Nydia Y. Rodriguez MPH
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  5. Jaime L. Frías MD
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Correspondence to Gwendolyn P. Quinn PhD.

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Quinn, G.P., Hauser, K., Bell-Ellison, B.A. et al. Promoting Pre-Conceptional Use of Folic Acid to Hispanic Women: A Social Marketing Approach. Matern Child Health J 10, 403–412 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0074-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0074-2

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