Adherence to iron folate supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public hospitals in Jigjiga Town, Somali Region, Ethiopia 2020

Abstract

Introduction pregnant women are at particular risk of folate and iron deficiency due to their increased requirements, which can be difficult to meet through diet alone. Poor adherence to the supplement makes the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women high, which is associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of study was to assess magnitude of adherence to iron-folic supplements and their associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at public hospitals in the Jigjiga Town, Somali Region. Methods an institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 290 pregnant during antenatal care service in two public hospitals. Mothers were randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaires. Multiple logistic regressions used to show the effect of independent variables. Results in this study, 290 women interviewed and the response rate was 91%. Nearly 54.9% were adherent to iron folic supplementation. The odds of adherence for secondary and above educated woman was almost three times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.843; 95% CI: 1.177-6.865; P=0.020) that of illiterate. The odds of adherence for more than four visit women is almost twice of less than four visits (AOR: 1.991; 95% CI: 1.098-3.610; p=0.023). Similarly, odds of adherence for knowledgeable woman about iron folate supplement were twice of ill-informed women (AOR: 2.090; 95% CI: 1.134-3.852; P=0.018). Conclusion adherence to iron folic supplementation was very poor. Number of ANC visits, education of women, knowledge about iron folic supplement, history of still birth, and age were significant determinants to adherence.

Effect of knowledge and counseling on adherence to iron supplementation in pregnant women: A systematic literature review

“…An analysis of the effect of anemia knowledge and iron tablet supplementation on pregnant women's adherence to consuming iron tablets was obtained from the ten articles reviewed. Eight articles stated that knowledge about anemia and iron tablet supplementation was one of the significant factors related to adherence [6,9,12,14,[16][17][18][19], while the other two articles did not find a significant association between knowledge and the adherence of pregnant women to consuming iron tablets [10,17].…”

“…Knowledge of iron tablet supplementation increases the chances of adherence 2-3 times. Items used to measure knowledge about iron supplementation include knowing the benefits of iron supplementation, which can prevent and treat anemia, knowing the consequences if you miss it, and knowing how to treat the side effects of iron supplementation [6,11,13,14,16,18,19]. Knowledge can raise awereness of the importance of iron supplementation for maternal and fetal health, encouraging mothers to take iron supplementation during pregnancy [6,11,16].…”

Utilization of iron–folic acid supplementation and related factors in pregnant women in Leka Dulecha District, East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia: The case study

“…It is important for pregnant women to prioritize their health and follow the recommended IFA regimen to ensure a healthy pregnancy and positive outcomes for both mother and baby. 7 According to the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, 23% of Ethiopian women between the ages of 15 and 49 are anemic, of which 15% are somewhat, 5% are extremely, and less than 1% are severely. In addition, a great deal of effort has been made to reduce the global anemia prevalence by the end of 2025.…”

“…Conversely, low adherence can impair immune function, vitality, and brain development and can result in low birth weight, preterm birth, and postnatal complications. It is important for pregnant women to prioritize their health and follow the recommended IFA regimen to ensure a healthy pregnancy and positive outcomes for both mother and baby 7 …”

“…It is important for pregnant women to prioritize their health and follow the recommended IFA regimen to ensure a healthy pregnancy and positive outcomes for both mother and baby. 7 …”