Pharmacist Counselling Can Change Adherence to Iron Supplementation and Physical Activity Lifestyle of Anaemic Pregnant Women in Yogyakarta

Abstract

Pharmacists have a role in reducing maternal mortality in 2030 to less than 70 per 100.000 live births. One of the causes of maternal mortality is anemia in pregnancy. The study objective was to assess the determinant factor and effect of solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC) by pharmacists to decrease the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy and improve the adherence to taking iron supplements and physical activity. We conducted a multicenter prospective quasiexperimental study of pregnant women in the urban, middle, and rural areas in Yogyakarta from February-October 2019. A total of 225 respondents participated in this study, divided into control and intervention groups within 30 following days. The results of the study show incidence of anemia are common in a rural and urban area with an incidence of 58.30% and 40.40%. Based on multivariate analysis, managing the consumption of oral iron supplements (OR=2.819, p=0.011) and dietary habits (OR=2.549, p=0.015) were determinant factors for anemia. The SFBC method significantly improved iron supplements adherence and physical activity during pregnancy compared to the control group in the overall area (p<0.010). The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy can be prevented by changing health behavior through the SFBC method, which is supported by synergistic collaboration between health workers.