Determinants of Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation Compliance among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Center: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Background: Intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is advised in areas where the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 20% or higher. Effectiveness and successful interventions of national strategy will depend on compliance to IFAS. This study was conducted to determine the proportion of antenatal mothers compliant to IFAS and to identify the factors affecting it. Methods: A cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic was done from September 2020 to February 2021 at an Urban Primary Health Centre, Imphal East. Patient aged ≥18 years, completed 12 weeks of pregnancy and started IFAS were consecutively enrolled according to the outpatient department registration list and interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed for determining the association between selected variables, taking P < 0.05 for statistical significance. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Results: Of 142 participated, 97 (68%) were compliant to IFAS. Women who were multigravida (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.038–0.48), self-purchased IFAS (AOR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.054–0.47) were found less likely to be compliant to IFAS. Women of good knowledge score (AOR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.7-23.8) regarding anemia and IFAS were more likely to be compliant. Conclusion: Almost one-third of participants was compliant to IFAS and associated with knowledge, educational level, and mode of obtaining IFAS. Thus, highlighting the need to scale up health awareness on IFAS and antenatal care coverage of antenatal IFAS supply through community-level workers.