Factors associated with not using antenatal iron/folic acid supplements in Indonesia: the 2002/2003 and 2007 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine factors associated with non use of antenatal iron/folic acid (IFA) supplements in Indonesia.MethodsThis study used data from two most recent Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS), the 2002/2003 and 2007 IDHS and providing survival information of 26,591 most recent deliveries over 5 years, prior to each survey. The outcome variable was non use of IFA supplements. Using logistic regression we examined the role of external environment, predisposing, enabling, need factors, and previous utilization of maternal care services in non use of antenatal IFA supplements.ResultsAmongst external environmental factors, mothers from outer Java‐Bali Region and rural areas had increased odds for not using antenatal IFA supplements. For the predisposing factors, the odds increased along with the reduction of household wealth index and parental education. Enabling factors associated with increased odds for non use of IFA supplements included mothers reporting money to pay health services (OR=1.28, p<0.001) and distance to health services (OR=1.20, p=0.03) was a major problem. Our study also demonstrated the importance of antenatal care as a distribution channel of IFA supplements.ConclusionEfforts to increase the use of antenatal IFA supplements should be conducted comprehensively by addressing the significant predictors of IFA utilization, as found in this study.Research Support:None