Compliance with Iron Folic acid Supplementation and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women attending antenatal clinic at Health Centers in rural area

Reshma Desai; Pushpa Pode

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Compliance with Iron Folic acid Supplementation and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women attending antenatal clinic at Health Centers in rural area

Reshma Desai, Pushpa Pode

Abstract :

Background: Anemia is one of the important causes for maternal death and is a major factor responsible for low birth weight babies. Anemia in pregnancy accounts for one fifth of maternal deaths worldwide and 16% of maternal deaths are attributed to anemia in India. Public health intervention iron folic acid supplementations are prescribed to pregnant women for improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing maternal anemia over last three decades. Non-compliance is one important challenging factor in combating anemia. Objective: The present study was carried out with aim to assess the prevalence of anemia and Compliance with Iron Folic acid Supplementation among the pregnant women in rural area. Methods: A community based Cross sectional study was carried out, pregnant women selected by convenient sampling, attending antenatal clinic at heath unit were interviewed using pre-tested pre-designed questionnaire. Results: About half of the pregnant women were from age group 20-24 years, The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 78%, out of which 60% of the pregnant women had a moderate anaemia, 32% mild anaemia and 8% were severe anaemic.Only15% of pregnant women reported Satisfactory compliance of IFAS, where as 58% pregnant women were having Partial compliance, and 27% pregnant women shown Non-compliance for IFAS . The associated factors for non–compliance to IFAS, among pregnant women was majority 61% forgetfulness, Conclusion: Educating women on early antenatal registration and compliance to Iron Supplementation is necessary to reduce the problem of anemia in pregnancy in rural India.