AWARENESS OF BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION

THE AWARENESS PROJECT

The overall goal of this project is to improve the knowledge on risk factors for birth defects in developed and developing countries as a prerequisite for evidence-based policy. Specific objectives are to:

1.	Examine the prevalence of selected known risk factors for birth defects among women in developed and developing countries.Specifically, the ICBDSR Centre team
	Review the literature on known risk factors of birth defects Gather and review unpublished or under-circulated data. Evaluate data quality. Collate and distill the data in a form that can be used by health officials for policy making and evaluation.
The risk factors should include at least four but possible more risk factors included in the table 1. Other risk factors not included may be included after discussion with and approval of the principal investigator.
2.	Examine available policies and strategies of primary prevention, aimed at reducing exposure to these risk factors (or increase the exposure of protective factors) among women. Specifically, the ICBDSR Centre team will: review the literature on known risk factors of birth defects
	Gather and review unpublished or under-circulated data. Collate and distill the data in a form that can be used by health officials for policy making and evaluation.
3.	Plan a conference on birth defects for health officials (including ministers of health or their representatives, and international organizations such as the World Health Organization) to disseminate the findings of the proposed project and promote the development of policies for surveillance and prevention of birth defects..