. 2004 Sep 27;4:20. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-4-20

Table 1.

Framework for a two phase, multi site study to examine the effects of food fortification with folic acid

Content	Study objective	Sample **	Location
I. Rates of NTDs	Determine rate of NTD-affected pregnancies, pre and post fortification	Newfoundland population	Newfoundland
II. Dietary assessment*	Determine dietary intake of folate, pre and post Fortification	A) Non-pregnant women of childbearing age (19–44 years), not taking supplements containing folic acid;	St. John's, Rural Newfoundland
III. Blood analysis*	Determine blood folate and vitamin B₁₂status, pre and post fortification	B) Seniors (65 years or older) not taking supplements containing folic acid or B₁₂supplement and not diagnosed with anaemia.	St. John's, Rural Newfoundland
IV. Knowledge and intake of folic acid supplements	Determine knowledge and consumption of folic acid supplements, pre and post fortification	Non-pregnant women of childbearing age (19–44 years)	St. John's, Rural Newfoundland

* The same sample of women and seniors are analyzed in Components II and III.

** Sampling was done separately for Phases I and II.