Abstract
Background Iron-folate supplementation for a pregnant mother is a cost-effective intervention to reduce iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the iron-folic acid supplements and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the public health center of Shalla district, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 402 randomly selected pregnant mothers between February and April 2019. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire from pregnant mothers attending antenatal care and using iron-folate supplements. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed. Results Pill count compliance rate was found to be (154) 38.3%. Pregnant mothers who had anemia in their previous pregnancy [(AOR = 11.35, 95% CI: 4.76–27.03)], counseling on iron-folate supplements [(AOR = 11.39, 95% CI: 5.09–27.03)], awareness of the benefit of the iron-folate supplements [(AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.18–3.92)], and being a member of the Health Development Army [(AOR = 2.11, 95% CI: (1.2, 3.9)] were significantly associated with compliance with iron-folate supplement. Conclusion Compared to the World Health Organization cut-off point, the pill count compliance rate of iron-folate supplementation among pregnant women in the study area was very low. Previous history of anemia and lack of knowledge about its benefit were some of the factors associated with it. Therefore, the healthcare providers should give continuous awareness creation and counseling services focusing on the benefit of iron-folate supplementation for pregnant mothers and their neonates.
Highlights
Iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant mothers are the main strategies to prevent anemia among pregnant mothers and newborns even though all the above intervention works depend on the context of the causes of anemia [1,2,3]. e World Health Organization has recommended a six-month regimen of a daily supplement containing 30–60 mg of elemental iron with 400 μg folic acid which is supplied to pregnant mothers during the first trimester or as soon as possible later on and it is provided when pregnant mothers come for antenatal care [3, 4]
Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS 2011) showed that, from all pregnant mothers supplemented with iron and folic acid tablet, only 0.4% consumed it for >90 days during their pregnancy time [7]. e EDHS 2016 finding revealed that only 5% of pregnant mothers who gave birth five years before the survey took the supplements for the recommended period of time [8]. erefore, the aim of this study was to assess the iron-folic acid supplements and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the public health centers of Shalla district, Southwest Ethiopia
Eighty-five percent of pregnant women who missed taking their supplementation were due to forgetfulness. is finding was higher than studies done on the Misha district of South Ethiopia (42.8%) and India (48.8%) [1, 19]. is difference may be due to the fact that the present study considers multiple responses, but the previous study allowed only one reason
Summary
Iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant mothers are the main strategies to prevent anemia among pregnant mothers and newborns even though all the above intervention works depend on the context of the causes of anemia [1,2,3]. e World Health Organization has recommended a six-month regimen of a daily supplement containing 30–60 mg of elemental iron with 400 μg folic acid which is supplied to pregnant mothers during the first trimester or as soon as possible later on and it is provided when pregnant mothers come for antenatal care [3, 4]. E World Health Organization has recommended a six-month regimen of a daily supplement containing 30–60 mg of elemental iron with 400 μg folic acid which is supplied to pregnant mothers during the first trimester or as soon as possible later on and it is provided when pregnant mothers come for antenatal care [3, 4]. E aim of this study was to assess the iron-folic acid supplements and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the public health center of Shalla district, Southwest Ethiopia. Compared to the World Health Organization cut-off point, the pill count compliance rate of iron-folate supplementation among pregnant women in the study area was very low. Erefore, the healthcare providers should give continuous awareness creation and counseling services focusing on the benefit of iron-folate supplementation for pregnant mothers and their neonates Previous history of anemia and lack of knowledge about its benefit were some of the factors associated with it. erefore, the healthcare providers should give continuous awareness creation and counseling services focusing on the benefit of iron-folate supplementation for pregnant mothers and their neonates
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