Compliance level and associated factors of iron folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Iron deficiency is a widespread micronutrient deficiency, impacting over 30% of the global population. Iron Folic Acid supplement is recommended for pregnant women to counter iron deficiency anemia and neural tube anomalies. Although Iron Folic Acid supplementation is integral to Ethiopian antenatal care, one in four women in Ethiopia experiences anemia during pregnancy suggesting poor compliance. This study aimed to investigate compliance level and associated factors of Iron Folic Acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Wuchale Woreda of North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 pregnant women from March 20 to April 5, 2021, who were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interview, entered epi-data, and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with compliance level. All the results were presented with 95% confidence intervals. The compliance with Iron Folic Acid supplementation was 47.0%. Residing nearest to the health facility (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.32, 4.57), initiating antenatal care at health center (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.17, 4.51), having a family size of 4 and above (AOR = 4.99; 95% CI 2.43, 10.24), and receiving information from health extension workers (AOR = 5.52; 95% CI 1.30, 23.54) increased compliance with Iron Folic Acid supplementation. Less than half of the pregnant women were compliant with Iron Folic Acid utilization. There is a need to prioritize promoting the importance of Iron Folic Acid supplementation through health education particularly by targeting pregnant women with identified factors.