Haematinic Pill Chart Partner – An Innovative Production for the Management of Anaemia in Pregnancy in Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

Anaemia is one of the most prevalent health problems in the world, affecting almost half a billion women of reproductive age.1 Major recognised contributing factor of anaemia in pregnancy is iron and folate deficiency. Many antenatal patients are not adherent to the iron supplementations prescribed. The objectives of this innovation, Haematinic Pill Chart Partner (HPCP), was to improve compliance of iron supplementation by antenatal anaemic patients, to achieve Hb < 11 gm% at 36 weeks of pregnancy, to provide comprehensive and effective health education to all antenatal patients, to reduce time of consultation as well as to produce a pill chart in a cost effective manner. Time taken for initial doctor’s consultation pre and post HPCP was analysed from the clinic’s antenatal record book. 10 patients in January 2018 (pre-intervention) and 12 patients in January 2019 (post-intervention) were compared. Mean time taken and cost for production of one pill chart were calculated. There was marked reduction in the percentage of antenatal patients with Hb < 11gm% at 36 weeks of pregnancy by 6.9%; from 8.3% in 2018 to only 1.4%. HPCP proved to be comprehensive and effective. 20 patients (100%) were satisfied (Patient’s Satisfaction Survey) and 5 doctors (100%) were satisfied (Doctor’s Satisfaction Survey) using HPCP. There was marked reduction in time taken (26 minutes) for doctor’s consultation. Cost of production of one HPCP was only RM 8.00. HPCP was found to be a very useful, user-friendly, and effective in the management of anaemia in pregnancy in Buntong Health Clinic.