الفهرس 
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Abstract
Folic acid plays a crucial role in developing of the fetal central nervous system during the first 28 days after conception, in preventing neural tube defects. These congenital anomalies are a group of brain and spinal cord malformations that develop early in a pregnancy. Folic acid is found in supplements and fortified foods, such as rice, breakfast cereal, pasta and other cereal-grain products. Dietary folate, on the other hand, is found in foods such as leaf green vegetables, orange juice, and legumes. The proper time for taking folic acid is one month before pregnancy and during the first three months . (Herald. 2009). The present study used descriptive design .The main aim of this study was to asses knowledge of antenatal women about the benefits of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy, investigate the factors influencing their knowledge and then make group counseling sessions when needed it . The total sample were 250 pregnant women in maternal and child health care in Quesna .The sample have some criteria: their age ranged between 19 and 35 years old and some of them were from urban ,while some others were from rural areas and they differ in level of education The methods of data collection used one instrument that consists of two parts. Part one dealt with socio demographic data and the second part about assessment questionnaires about knowledge of antenatal women about folic acid the participants received an information sheet with a full explanation of the study and gave then oral consent prior to enrolment . Anonymity and confidentiality were assured and participants were told that they could withdraw from the study at any point without prejudice .