Factors contributing to non-compliance to routine ante-natal haematinics among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out on factors contributing to non-compliance to routine ante-natal haematinics among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Descriptive research design in which Yaro Yamen's formular was used to calculate the sample size of 130. The objectives of the study were: to identify types of haematinics and duration of intake during ante natal care, to determine the factors contributing to non-compliance of haematinics and to determine the attitude of pregnant women toward haematinic use. Methods: Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire and presented in frequency distribution tables and histogram. Results:The result showed that the response of the age variation of the respondents at 21-30 years old had the maximum age participation in haematinics with 62% of response, responses based on the choice of haematinics 50% went for folic acid, trimester intake of haematinics among pregnant women about 48% accepted that they made use of it during pregnancy period, the result also revealed that pregnant women take haematinics once a day with 63% respondents, pregnant women with higher educational qualification made more use of haematinics with 70% responses and that non-compliance to haematinics intake based on cultural believe contributed few to the use of haematinics with 36% while 64% of the respondents accepted cultural believe was not the factor contributing to noncompliance of haematinics usage. Conclusions:In conclusion, this study provided information on the general response to factors contributing to noncompliance to routine ante natal haematinics among pregnant women attending ante natal clinic in UMTH which was about 62%. It is therefore recommended that the government should put in place relevant agencies to pro-actively inform pregnant women cut across all age groups, level of education, occupational classes, culture inclinations and financial status on the medical importance of haematinics intake during the gestation period.

Routine haematinics and multivitamins: Adherence and its association with haemoglobin level among pregnant women in an urban lower‐middle‐income country, Ghana

“…In the current study, we report a compliance rate of about 63%, 63% and 58% for FA, FS and MTV, respectively. This puts the average of these rates at 61% and clearly higher than the 48% reported among Nigerian women in a similar setting . However, the finding is consistent with studies conducted in India which reported the overall compliance with iron‐folic acid tablets as around 65% .…”

“…Worldwide, anaemia in pregnancy is estimated to be about 38%, with the Africa region estimates being around 46% . Mothers with untreated anaemia have been amply demonstrated to give birth to babies who are premature, have a low birth weight, have less mental ability and have increased risk of infection, heart and lung problems . Neural tube defects that manifest as hydrocephalus, spinal bifida and encephalocele have also been linked to low intake of folic acid, an important haematinic …”

“…Unlike in the case of adherence with HIV medications in pregnancy where data abound, there is dearth of data on adherence with routine haematinic drugs for pregnant women . However, the few studies available report compliance with routine haematinics to be between 48% and 64.7% …”

Self-reported compliance with routine prenatal medications by pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria

“…This study demonstrated a poor level of compliance among pregnant women, as less than half always bought their routine medications and used them as prescribed. Compliance refers to the extent to which the pregnant woman follows medical prescription and this has been a major issue in micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy 13 , 18 . Although a little less than two-thirds of the respondents were either primiparous or with one child and the majority also had tertiary education, it is rather surprising that compliance was still poor, as they were expected to keep to their prescription being new to the pregnancy experience.…”

“…For instance, it was reported that the compliance of pregnant women to antenatal medication in developing countries was low (28.7%) 12 . It has also been found that about 58 million women in developing countries are anaemic during pregnancy and this situation was likely the result of non-compliance of the pregnant women with antenatal medication 11 , 13 . Additionally, studies 13 , 14 have suggested that babies born to mothers who do not comply with the taking of antenatal medications are more likely to be born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy), have a low birthweight, have problems with iron levels and a poorer performance in mental ability tests; they are also at increased risk of infection, heart and lungs problems, restless leg syndrome, etc.…”