To Study Compliance of Antenatal Women in Relation to Iron Supplementation in Routine Ante-Natal Clinic at a Tertiary Health Care Centre

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the compliance of the pregnant women and factors related to iron tablet consumption behavior among pregnant women. Response to iron deficiency anemia is related to the dose and schedule of a iron tablets and diet. Noncompliance reduces treatment benefits and is associated with poorer prognosis. Methods: A detailed questionnaire designed to assess the antenatal women compliance. Eight hundred and sixty women of 16-30 wks pregnancy who received iron tablets daily for 90 consecutive days in Rohtak city of Haryana state. Results: The results showed that compliance among pregnant women, regarding iron supplementation, was observed by 80.47% women, non compliance was observed by 14.42 % while over compliance was observed only by 5.11% women. Compliance was better observed in educated patients as compared to uneducated i.e.62.14% versus 37.86%. The reasons for non compliance were side effects 29.03% , suffering from pregnancy complications and taking multiple drug supplements 22.58% , long term taking of iron tablets 19.35%, not liking pharmaceutical preparations 16.94%, forgetfullness 9.68% and not liking due to poor quality of iron tablet supplied by government were 2.42%. Almost all the women believed that the doctor, pharmacist and nurse explained the instructions for intake of iron tablets and diet to them and they followed those instructions. Conclusion: This study shows that compliance is related to education of the pregnant women and proper explanation of instructions by doctor, pharmacist and nurses, help to improve the compliance but much can be done to improve existing iron supplementation programs in developing countries by ensuring that iron tablets of good quality are available at all levels of health care.

Factors associated with compliance of prenatal iron folate supplementation among women in Mecha district, Western Amhara: a cross-sectional study

“…However, it is much lower than WHO's and Ethiopia's National Guidelines for Control and Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies [ 17 , 18 ]. The compliance rate among women in this study was still lower compared to studies done in Asia, Senegal and India [ 14 , 15 , 19 ]. This difference may be due to differences in awareness of pregnant women about iron folate supplementation and educational status.…”

“…The questionnaire had four sections: socio-demographic characteristics of participants, reproductive history, obstetrical and medical complications during pregnancy, and knowledge of anemia and iron foliate supplementation. In this study, a woman was considered as compliant to iron/folate supplementation if she had taken ≤90 iron folate tablets on daily basis during her pregnancy period [ 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Knowledge of anemia was measured by a questionnaire composed of 10 questions.…”

Factors Influencing Iron Treatment among Anemic Pregnant Women

“…Also, Lertmulligaporn [9] who found that the compliance rate in receiving iron treatment was about 75% and Mailman [6] reported that about half of his sample complied with daily vitamins and minerals. The prevalence of compliance in the study of Sushila, Ritu, Smiti and Sonika [10] was 80.47%. Further, the results of the study of Mosleh [11] have shown that, there was gradual decrease of knowledge and awareness concerning the effect of tea with meals on iron absorption, where the data have shown that many women were not aware and had lack of knowledge that tea with meals decrease iron absorption in the blood.…”

“…On the other hand, Haile et al, [12] in their results reported that only 18.0% of total sample of 405 complied with the iron folic acid supplementation. And the results of Sushila, Ritu, Smiti and Sonika [10] who reported that, the pregnant women had enough information about iron treatment, understood and strictly followed the instructions given by the doctor. Moreover, Raksha et al, [13] study Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding anemia among pregnant women and reported that (46%) of the pregnant women already know the food rich with iron.…”

Compliance of Iron Supplementation during pregnancy and factors effecting compliance.

“…This judgment was parallel to the study of P. Mithra in India that elderly and middle women were slightly more compliant than younger women (P. Mithra 2013) and also this finding is consistent with the study done in Ethiopia. 10 Next factor which effect compliance is Education, it was seen that the women which were more educated had more concern about their health and compliant to iron supplementation therapy as compare to illiterate women. Family Income also plays important role in compliance, the women which belongs to low income families were less compliant to iron supplement therapy as compare to women which belongs to rich families, the possible reason for this may be affordability of supplements.…”