scholarly journals Prevalence of iron and folic acid supplements consumption and associated factors among pregnant women in Eswatini: a multicenter cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gugulethu N. Mabuza ◽  
Alexander Waits ◽  
Owen Nkoka ◽  
Li-Yin Chien
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
World Health ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Low Consumption

Abstract Background During pregnancy, nutritional requirements increase and if not met, pregnancy-related complications may manifest. To prevent these undesirable outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends daily oral iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation as part of antenatal care. Despite this recommendation, the use of IFA supplements is still very low in several developing countries. Additionally, no prior information exists regarding the level of consumption of IFA in Eswatini. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of consumption of IFA supplements and to identify factors associated with the consumption of IFA supplements among pregnant women in Eswatini. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 330 pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years in their third trimester in Eswatini. Participants were recruited from eight purposively selected healthcare facilities from July 2019 to October 2019. Good consumption was defined as consuming all or almost all IFA supplements throughout pregnancy. Results During the first trimester, 10.3 % of the participants consumed all or almost all IFA supplements. In the second and third trimesters, those who consumed all or almost all supplements were 37 and 39.7 %, respectively, for iron and 37.6 and 40.9 %, respectively, for folic acid. Barriers, including side effects, forgetfulness, safe previous pregnancies without IFA, others’ advice against consumption, IFA stock-outs, inability to meet transport costs, and inadequate supply of IFA tablets, contribute to low consumption of IFA. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that the barriers were inversely associated with good consumption of IFA supplements. Better knowledge and attitude toward IFA and older maternal age were positively associated with good consumption of IFA supplements. Conclusions Low consumption of IFA supplements in overall pregnancy is mainly owing to the late antenatal care attendance. Strategies such as establishing a preconception care unit and school-based provision of IFA may be helpful. It is evident that most women still lack knowledge, and some have negative attitudes about IFA supplements. Health education to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of starting antenatal care early as well as consuming supplements on time should be revisited and intensified. Multiple strategies such as including community health care workers for distributing IFA supplements, discussing with clients about the measures to reduce forgetfulness, advising ways to prevent and manage the side effects, providing subsidies to cover transport costs, and ensuring adequate supply of IFA supplements in facilities may need to be employed to reduce the identified barriers.

scholarly journals Counselling on iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is associated with improved knowledge among pregnant women in a rural county of Kenya: a cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Mary Kamau ◽  
Samuel Kimani ◽  
Waithira Mirie
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Background: The demand for iron and folic acid, is greatly increased during pregnancy. The high demand is not met through diet due to insufficiency or reduced bioavailability of nutrients among women from low income countries. Thus, iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is a promising interventional strategy for control of anaemia during pregnancy. Kenya adopted the global IFAS intervention with a target of 80% coverage by 2017, however, the compliance remains low. Increasing awareness, counselling, communication and community education on IFAS have improved compliance among pregnant women. Thus, we aimed to determine: availability, practices, and content of IFAS counselling on knowledge of antenatal mothers attending health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 364 pregnant women aged 15-49 years attending antenatal clinic. A two stage cluster sampling, including one sub-county and five public primary health facilities were used. A pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, maternal knowledge and counselling on IFAS was used. An observation checklist was used to observe practices and content of antenatal counselling session in each facility. Data was analysed using STATA in which descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. Results: Of 364 respondents, less than half (40.9%) scored high on knowledge on IFAS. Women who were counselled on duration of IFAS intake, side effects, and their mitigation were more likely (p <0.005) to have high IFAS knowledge. Although all the health facilities had varied IFAS posters displayed, none had key IFAS counselling documents. Conclusion: Content of counselling substantially contributed to high level of knowledge on IFAS among pregnant women. Counselling information on the duration of IFAS supplementation, IFAS side effects, and their management are the predictors of IFAS knowledge among pregnant women. This underscores the need to strengthen focused and targeted IFAS counselling for pregnant women to improve compliance and pregnancy outcomes.

Quantifying Pregnant Women’s Knowledge of Educational Components of Antenatal Care in Lesotho

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabeta Seeiso ◽  
Mamutle M. Todd-Maja
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
In Pregnancy

Antenatal care (ANC) literacy is particularly important for pregnant women who need to make appropriate decisions for care during their pregnancy and childbirth. The link between inadequate health literacy on the educational components of ANC and maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undisputable. Yet, little is known about the ANC literacy of pregnant women in SSA, with most studies inadequately assessing the four critical components of ANC literacy recommended by the World Health Organization, namely danger signs in pregnancy; true signs of labour; nutrition; and preparedness for childbirth. Lesotho, a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in SSA, is also underexplored in this research area. This cross-sectional study explored the levels of ANC literacy and the associated factors in 451 purposively sampled women in two districts in Lesotho using a structured questionnaire, making recourse to statistical principles. Overall, 16.4 per cent of the participants had grossly inadequate ANC literacy, while 79.8 per cent had marginal levels of such knowledge. The geographic location and level of education were the most significant predictors of ANC literacy, with the latter variable further subjected to post hoc margins test with the Bonferroni correction. The participants had the lowest scores on knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and true signs of labour. Adequate ANC literacy is critical to reducing maternal mortality in Lesotho. Improving access to ANC education, particularly in rural areas, is recommended. This study also provides important recommendations critical to informing the national midwifery curriculum.

scholarly journals Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and associated factors among antenatal care attendants in Northwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen ◽  
Yadeta Dessie ◽  
Negga Baraki ◽  
Abdu Oumer ◽  
Mehari Gebru
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

<p>Iron and folic acid supplementation is the key approach for anemia prevention and control during pregnancy. In Ethiopia only &lt;1% of pregnant mothers ingest the ideal number of tablets. Although, adherence is the most important challenge, literature is dearth and the predictors are undoubtedly recognized. Institution based quantitative cross sectional study design triangulated with qualitative methods was employed among 395 systematically selected pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Debre Markos town, Ethiopia. Data were collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data and exported to SPSS software. Bivariate and multivariable Logistic regression with the 95% confidence interval was computed. P-value &lt; 0.05 was declared as statistically significant. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted. The data were entered and analyzed using open code software. Adherence rate was 55.5% (95%CI, 50.5%-60.4%). Pregnant mothers who had; history of anemia during current pregnancy [AOR:7.9, 95%CI (4.44-14.01)], primary education (AOR:4.0, 95%CI (1.88-8.54)], secondary education and above (AOR:3.6, 95%CI (1.20-6.94)], good knowledge of iron and folic acid supplementation [AOR:2.1, 95%CI (1.24-3.56)], and early registration for antenatal care (AOR:1.8, 95%CI (1.06-3.11)] were predictors of iron and folic acid supplementation adherence. The rate of adherence was low. Getting medical advice and fear of illness if missed were the primary reasons that enforce mothers to take the tablets. Hence, improving mothers’ knowledge regarding overall aspects of the tablet through better advice, community teaching and the mass media at large, would improve adherence.</p>

Can Iron and Folic Acid-IFA and Ca & Vitamin D Supplementation in Pregnancy be Fitted into Habitual Pattern of Three Meals A Day?

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Prema Ramachandran ◽  
Amrita Pramanik ◽  
K. Kalaivani
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Ferrous Sulphate ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Meal Pattern ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Habitual Pattern ◽  
In Pregnancy

In India prevalence of anaemia and vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy are widespread. National programmes recommend that two tablets of iron and folic acid (IFA) and two tablets of calcium and vitamin D (Ca &amp; Vit D) to be given every day from second trimester till delivery. To minimize the side effects and increase compliance, it is advised that each tablet should be taken after a meal. Most households follow a three meal pattern. A study was taken up to find out how IFA and Ca &amp; Vit D supplementations can be fitted into the habitual three meal pattern. A short term crossover supplementation study was carried out on 38 pregnant women to assess side effects following consumption after lunch of one or two tablets containing 500mg elemental calcium (as calcium carbonate) and 250 IU vitamin D or 60 mg of elemental iron as ferrous sulphate. Prevalence of side effects was higher in women who received iron supplements as compared to Ca &amp; Vit D supplements. Taking two tablets of Ca &amp; Vit D together after meal was associated with significantly higher prevalence of side effects as compared to taking one tablet after meal. Taking two tablets of iron together after meal was not associated with any significant increase in prevalence of side effects as compared to one tablet. Giving two tablets of iron together after one meal and giving one tablet of calcium and vitamin after two meals is feasible option for providing two tablets each of iron and Ca &amp; Vit D to pregnant women who habitually follow a three meal pattern.

scholarly journals Adherence to Iron and Folic Acid Supplement and Associated Factors among Antenatal Care Attendant Mothers In Lay Armachiho Health Centers, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2017

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henok Dagne Derso ◽  
Gashaw Agegnehu ◽  
Azeb Atenafu ◽  
Baye Dagnew ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Family Size ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Background: Iron deficiency is the leading nutrient deficiency in the world affecting the lives of more than 2 billion people, accounting to over 30% of the world’s population. Pregnant women are particularly at high risk of iron and folic acid deficiency. Objective The aim of this study was to assess Adherence to Iron and folic acid supplement during pregnancy and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was employed from February 2016 to March 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a structured and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify associated factors with Adherence to prenatal iron and folic acid supplement among pregnant women. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. Those variables with a p-value less than 0.05 had been considered as significant. Result Adherence to Iron and folic acid was 28.7% with 95% C.I. (24.3, 33.6%). Educational status of mothers(AOR= 9.27 (95%CI: 2.47, 34.71), Educational status of husband (AOR= 0.31(95% CI: 0.11,0.88), Mothers who had a family size of four(AOR=3.70(1.08,12.76), Mothers who had family size of five and above (AOR= 4.88(95% CI: 1.20, 19.85),Mothers who had 2500-3500 birr household average monthly income (AOR= 0.46(95% CI: 0.24,0.89), Mothers who had registered at 17-24weeks with (AOR=0.40(95% CI: 0.22-0.74), registered at 25-28weeks (AOR=0.20(95% CI 0.10, 0.41), Mothers who had collected their iron and folic acid started at first visit at first month of pregnancy and duration of iron and folic acid is taken (AOR= 2.42(95% CI:1.05, 5.58) had significant association with iron and folic acid adherence. Conclusion and recommendation Adherence of Iron and folic acid was relatively low. Maternal and husband education status, family size, registration time, economic status and first visit in the first month with duration of iron and folic acid taken were factors significantly associated with adherence to iron and folic acid supplement. Educating pregnant mothers, improving economic status, early ANC registration can improve adherence to iron and folic acid supplement.

scholarly journals The effect of early antenatal booking on adherence to Iron/folic acid supplementation among antenatal care attendees in Libo kemkem district, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tewachew Muche liyeh ◽  
Yitayal Ayalew Goshu ◽  
Amare Simegn Ayele ◽  
Yibeltal Abebe
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Iron Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron Folic Acid

Abstract Background Iron and folic acid supplementation is the feasible and cost effective strategy to control and prevent anemia in pregnancy. Pregnant women are vulnerable for iron deficiency anemia due to increased nutrient requirement during pregnancy. In Ethiopia, the national data suggests that from all pregnant women supplemented with these tablets, only 5.1% consumed more than 90 tablets during their pregnancy time. The factors for this low adherence are not clearly known. Objective: To assess factors associated with adherence to iron-folic acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care service in Libo Kemkem district, Ethiopia 2017. Method: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted using quantitative methods on 406 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Libo Kemkem district public health institutions. Systematic random sampling method was used. An interview with pre tested semi structured questionnaire was carried out. The collected data was entered in Epi data 4.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model were used. Odds ratio with 95% interval was computed and P- value <0.05% considered as level of significance. Result: About 406 respondents were included in the study. The adherence rate of iron-folic acid supplementation was 49.3% (95% CI= 44.3%-54.2%). Factors significantly associated with adherence to iron-folic acid utilization were urban residence (AOR =4.8, 95% CI=1.82-12.79), women aged 21-30 (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI=1.60-11.42) ,women aged 31-40 (AOR =4.2, 95% CI=1.33-13.41),early ANC booking (AOR =4.1, 95% CI=1.80-9.30) and getting medical advice (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.04 – 6.16). Fear of side effects, forgetfulness and too many pills were the major reasons for missing the doses of tablets. Conclusion: adherence rate of iron and folic acid supplementation was low. Residence, maternal age, early ANC booking and getting medical advice were significantly associated with adherence to iron and folic acid. Key Words: Iron-folic acid, pregnant women and adherence

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with late antenatal care visit among pregnant women in Lushoto, Tanzania

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Njiku ◽  
Herman Wella ◽  
Adellah Sariah ◽  
Joyce Protas
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
World Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Care Services

Background: Adequate utilization of antenatal health care services is associated with improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The World Health Organization recommends pregnant women to attend antenatal care services as early as in the first trimester. However, many women due to various reasons fail to meet the recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with late antenatal booking among pregnant women in Lushoto district of north-eastern Tanzania.Methods: This hospital based cross sectional study involved pregnant women and was conducted in August-September 2015. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain participants demographic characteristics and obstetrics history. Data analysis was done using (SPSS) and relationship between outcome variables and exposure variable was done using Chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure the association.Results: A total of 240 participants were involved in the study.  Out of these, 169 (70.4%) participants booked late for antenatal care (ANC) services. Delayed booking was mainly associated with not being married (AOR=3.08; 95%CI 1.149-8.275; P value=0.025) and unemployment (AOR=4.28; 95% CI 2.11-8.679; p-value=0.000)Conclusion:  Late first antenatal clinic visit was high in Lushoto, and was highly associated with unmarried and unemployment status. Therefore, provision of continuous health education and community sensitization on the importance of timely seeking ANC services should be strengthened.

scholarly journals Counselling and knowledge on iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) among pregnant women in Kiambu County, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Mary Kamau ◽  
Samuel Kimani ◽  
Waithira Mirie
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Background: The increased demand for iron and folic acid during pregnancy is not met through diet due to insufficiency or reduced bioavailability of nutrients among women from low income countries. Thus, iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is a promising interventional strategy for control of anaemia during pregnancy. Kenya adopted the global IFAS intervention with a target of 80% coverage by 2017, however, the compliance remains low. Increasing awareness, counselling, communication and community education on IFAS have improved compliance among pregnant women. Thus, we aimed to determine: IFAS knowledge, availability, practices, and content of IFAS counselling among pregnant women attending health facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 364 pregnant women aged 15-49 years. A two stage cluster sampling, including one sub-county and five public health facilities were used. A pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, maternal knowledge and counselling on IFAS was used. An observation checklist was used to observe practices and content of antenatal counselling session in each facility. Data was analysed using STATA in which descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. Results: Of 364 respondents, less than half (40.9%) scored high on knowledge on IFAS. Women who were counselled on duration of IFAS intake, side effects, and their mitigation were more likely (p <0.005) to have high IFAS knowledge. Although all the health facilities had varied IFAS posters displayed, none had key IFAS counselling documents. Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant women had high IFAS knowledge, IFAS documents were scarce in health facilities, IFAS counselling information in different health facilities was limited and varied and content of counselling was associated with levels of knowledge on IFAS. This underscores the need to strengthen focused and targeted IFAS counselling for pregnant women and standardization of counselling messages to improve compliance and pregnancy outcomes.

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