Although the vast majority of Ontario women have heard about folic acid...

• Most women are still not aware of the daily dosage of folic acid recommended to reduce the risk of birth defects.
• Age of mother at birth is mistakenly believed to be the most common risk factor for spina bifida.
• Most women of childbearing age are unable to accurately identify food sources of folate.
• Only 35% of women interviewed are currently taking a multivitamin.

It is through awareness and education that we can begin to change behaviour and ultimately decrease the incidence of neural tube defects.

The Folic Acid Alliance Ontario has developed a community action guide as part of its provincial awareness campaign and it is designed to provide you with ideas and activities to reinforce the folic acid message in your community.

Using the campaign materials, we hope you can develop, deliver and evaluate local activities that will increase awareness of birth defects and how folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with NTDs.

The activities you decide to implement should suit the needs in your community and match the resources available to you. Use the following links to view and print valuable sections of the community action guide.

Recipients of the “Folic Acid Community Action Guide” were surveyed following the 2002 campaign and here are some of the findings:

• 98% said they used the Community Action Guide to promote the consumption of folic acid in their communities.
   
• Overall, recipients felt that the guide and the campaign resource material were effective.
   
• 77% said the presentation and quality of information in the guide was easy to understand and follow, and 89% said the amount of information was about right.
   
• 56% said it was their first time promoting folic acid in their community.

For a complete copy of the Community Action Post-Campaign Evaluation download the PDF.

Community Action Guide PDFs:

		Background Information
		Folic Acid Facts
		Planning and Implementing Local Activities
		Sample Activities
		Appendices
		Campaign Poster, Brochure and Advertisement