Compliance Level of Antenatal Care Visit, Iron Supplement Intake and Prevalence of Anaemia Among Pregnant Women in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives The study assessed the compliance level of Antenatal Care Visit, Iron Supplement Intake and Prevalence of Anaemia among Pregnant Women in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used, 429 pregnant women attending antenatal care were randomly selected from each of the five hospitals randomly selected from Owerri. Biochemical test (Haemoglobin determination) and a structured and pre-tested questionnaires was used for data collection. Data were statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation and Chi-square test with SPSS Version 22 at significance level of P < 0.05. Results Result shows that many of the respondents were young adults (aged 26 to 35 years), married, educated (literate), unemployed and petty traders and low income earners. One third (33.6%) of the pregnant women attended Antenatal Care (ANC) for more than 5 times while half (51.0%) commenced antenatal care visit at 13–24 weeks of their pregnancy, about 35.9% took Ferrous Sulphate at least once daily and 39% were anaemic (17% mild, 17% moderate and 5% severe anaemia). There is a significant (P < 0.05) association between supplement intakes with prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women. Conclusions In conclusion, this study revealed a prevalence of anemia among pregnant women increased with poor compliance to supplementation intake and frequent visit to antenatal care. Hence, this study called for monitoring and evaluation of the antenatal care and iron supplement intake component of maternal and child health nutrition for reduction of anaemia in pregnancy and other complications. Funding Sources This study is self funded.