scholarly journals Nutrition counselling and knowledge on iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in Nyeri County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1620
Author(s):  
Henry Mburu Ng'the ◽  
Douglas Nderitu ◽  
Stephanie Wanja
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Focused Antenatal Care ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Government

Background: In the world, a deficiency of iron is the most common nutrition disorder affecting more than 30% of the global populace more so children and women. Countries in the developing world are working in programs on implementing the iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) although the effectiveness of curbing anemia is usually affected by non-compliance to iron and folic acid supplements by women who are pregnant. The government of Kenya has come up with strategies to deal with anemia which include supplementation of iron and folic acid, implementation of focused antenatal care even though they have encountered a few hurdles resulting to sub optimal coverage and low levels of compliance.Methods: This was a mixed method study whereby both qualitative and quantitative data was analysed. A sample size of 385 pregnant women were interviewed. Data was collected using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data which was presented in form of frequency and percentage tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Results: Results show that 96% of the expectant women indicated that they were advised to take fruits while 86% indicated that they were advised to take green vegetables. This shows that pregnant women in the study had good knowledge of their dietary needs.Conclusions: The study concludes that expectant women had high nutrition knowledge on foods that raise the haemoglobin levels during gravidity.

scholarly journals Factors associated with iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant women aged 15-45 years attending Naroosura health centre, Narok County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4672
Author(s):  
Asenath S. Kotonto ◽  
Albert B. Wakoli
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Background: Iron and folic acid are very important nutrients to mothers during pregnancy. Their deficiencies are risk factors for anaemia, preterm delivery and low birth weight. This study aimed to investigate the supplementation of iron and folic acid and the associated factors among pregnant women attending Naroosura health centre, Narok County, Kenya.Methods: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data collection took a period of one month where a total of 123 mothers participated. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Chi-square test was conducted to find associations at a significance level of 0.05.Results: Of the study participants, nearly a third (31.7%) took iron and folic acid supplements daily, over a half (57.7%) indicated that taking iron and folic acid supplements was important to them, about a quarter (24.4%) reported that use of iron and folic acid supplements reduces birth defects and about a third (32%) consumed foods rich in iron and folic acid. Supplementation of iron and folic acid was significantly associated with residence (ꭓ2=4.311, df=1, p=0.038), monthly household income (ꭓ2=10.870, df=4, p=0.028), reduced birth defects (χ2=6.131, df=1, p=0.013) and consumption of iron and folic acid rich foods (χ2=4.163, df=1, p=0.041).Conclusions: The intake as well as supplementation of iron and folic acid is still low. Therefore, both the intake and supplementation of iron and folic acid need to be scaled up.

scholarly journals Compliance with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) and associated factors among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249789
Author(s):  
Meseret Belete Fite ◽  
Kedir Teji Roba ◽  
Lemessa Oljira ◽  
Abera Kenay Tura ◽  
Tesfaye Assebe Yadeta
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background Anemia is one of the world’s leading cause of disability and the most serious global public health issues. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted very carefully in order to give up the pooled compliance of Iron and Folic-Acid Supplementation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods To conduct this brief systematic review and meta-analysis, a related literature search was done from different sources, PubMed Medline and Google Scholar Journals. Then IFA Supplementation related searching engine was used to make the work more meaningful and intensive. Moreover, we used modified Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale for cross sectional studies to assess the quality of the study in terms of their inclusion. Then, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed to carry out the work in a carful manner. Finally, the pooled effect size was computed using the review manager and Compressive Meta-analysis software. Results Twenty-three studies, which encompassed 24272 pregnant women, were chosen for the analysis. From those an overall prevalence of compliance with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) in pregnancy in SSA was 39.2%. However, the result from meta-analysis showed that women who were counseled on IFAS in their courses of pregnancy were 1.96 times more likely to adhere to IFAS compared to those who were not counseled [OR:1.96, 95% CI (1.76-,5.93)]. Moreover, it showed that women who had knowledge of IFAS were 2.71 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared to those who had no knowledge of IFAS [OR:2.71, 95% CI (1.33,5.54)]. Also it revealed that those women who had knowledge of anemia were 5.42 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared with those who had no knowledge of anemia [OR5.42, 95% CI (1.52, 19.43)]. Furthermore, women who had received fourth visit for ANC were 1.54 times more likely to have compliance with IFAS as compared to those who had not received for ANC [OR 1.54, 95% CI (0.66, 3.58.43)]. Conclusions Our finding from this systematic review and meta-analysis shows the low case in prevalence of compliance to IFAS among pregnant women in SSA. Predictors for this includes: knowledge about anemia, knowledge about IFAS, counseling on IFAS and receiving fourth antenatal care visit were statistically correlated positively with compliance to IFAS. This demands careful appraisal of effect of prevention work for functioning policy, programs and plan nutrition intrusions for refining maternal dietary intake in gestation. Also dietary education intrusion requires to be planned to satisfy the needs of pregnant women. So we hope that the result of this study might be essential as a bridging stone for policy makers of Africa; exclusively for maternal and child health care. Finally, we recommended further studies to be conducted in the area of the study for more intensive and detailed suggestions.

scholarly journals Adherence to Iron-Folate Supplementation and Associated Factors among Pastoralist’s Pregnant Women in Burji Districts, Segen Area People’s Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negussie Boti ◽  
Tezera Bekele ◽  
Wanzahun Godana ◽  
Eskeziyaw Getahun ◽  
Feleke Gebremeskel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Iron Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron Folic Acid

Background. Iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women is one of the most common public health problems in developing country particularly in Ethiopia. Iron/folic acid supplementation with optimal adherence is the main cost-effective strategy for prevention and control of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. However, level of adherence to iron/folic acid supplementation and its associated factors were not well identified in study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the level of adherence to iron/folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women in Burji Districts, southern Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 pregnant women in Burji Districts from March to April 2017 using interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi Info 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with iron/folic acid supplementation. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Results. Among women participating in the study, 163(51.4%) were adherent to iron/folate acid supplementation. Factors significantly associated with adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation were maternal educational status (AOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.13-4.97), early registration for ANC (AOR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.45 – 4.27), history of anemia during current pregnancy (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.09-3.72), and knowledge about iron and folic acid supplementation (AOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.02-3.76). Forgetfulness and fear of side effects were among the leading reasons of pregnant women for nonadherence to iron and folic acid supplementation. Conclusions. This study revealed that adherence to iron /folic acid supplementation was found to be 51.4%. Maternal educational status, early registration for ANC, history of anemia during current pregnancy, and knowledge about iron and folic acid supplementation were significant factors associated with adherence to iron/folic acid supplementation among pastoralist’s pregnant women. Therefore, anemia prevention strategy should include strengthening giving awareness, counseling, strengthening community health education, and participation in health programs which are necessary to improve the uptake of iron/folic acid supplements.

scholarly journals Assessment of Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women by Estimation of Serum Levels of Tetrahydrofolic Acid, Dihydrofolate Reductase, and Homocysteine

Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manisha Naithani ◽  
Vartika Saxena ◽  
Anissa Atif Mirza ◽  
Ranjeeta Kumari ◽  
Kapil Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dihydrofolate Reductase ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
North India ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tetrahydrofolic Acid

Background.Status of folic acid use in pregnant women of the hilly regions in North India was little known. This study was carried out to assess the folic acid use and estimate folate metabolites in pregnant women of this region.Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study is comprised of 76 pregnant women, whose folic acid supplementation was assessed by a questionnaire and serum levels of homocysteine, tetrahydrofolic acid (THFA), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) were estimated using Enzyme Linked Immunoassays.Results.The study data revealed awareness of folic acid use during pregnancy was present in 46.1% and 23.7% were taking folic acid supplements. The study depicted that there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels of THFA and DHFR in pregnant women with and without folic acid supplements (p=0.790). Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 15.78% of the participants.Conclusion.Less awareness about folic acid supplementation and low use of folic acid by pregnant women were observed in this region. Sufficient dietary ingestion may suffice for the escalated requirements in pregnancy, but since this cannot be ensured, hence folic acid supplementation should be made as an integral part of education and reproductive health programs for its better metabolic use, growth, and development of fetus.

scholarly journals Awareness, use and information sources of folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects in pregnant Japanese women

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shumi Yamamoto ◽  
Yoshinao Wada
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Japanese Women ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements

AbstractObjectiveFolic acid supplementation and folate-rich diets are recommended for women of childbearing age worldwide to prevent congenital anomalies. We aimed to determine the current status of folic acid supplementation among pregnant Japanese women and identify means to increase the intake of these supplements.DesignCross-sectional study.SubjectsA total of 1862 pregnant women who consulted the perinatal centre from September 2014 to December 2015 completed a questionnaire concerning knowledge about folic acid, sources of information and the use of folic acid supplements.SettingOsaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health (Japan).ResultsIn our study population, only 20·5 % of pregnant women took folic acid supplements periconceptionally even though 70·4 % knew about the protective effect of folic acid. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥35 years (OR=2·80; 95 % CI 1·24, 6·29) and knowledge of the benefits of folic acid (OR=2·64; 95 % CI 1·92, 3·62) were associated with periconceptional folic acid use, and multiparity was negatively associated with such use. Compared with those who took folic acid supplements periconceptionally, women who did not take supplements received information through passive and less interactive media.ConclusionsAlthough folic acid awareness was relatively high among pregnant Japanese women, folic acid supplementation before conception was insufficient. To increase the intake of folic acid supplements in countries in which foods are not fortified with folic acid, an effective public health approach promoting behavioural change is necessary for women of reproductive age.

scholarly journals Implementation fidelity of Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (IFAs) and associated challenges among pregnant women in Uasin Gishu County Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roselyter Monchari Riang'a ◽  
Anne Kisaka Nangulu ◽  
Jacqueline E.W. Broerse
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Nutritional Counselling ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid

Abstract Introduction While Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAs) policy is offered free of charge in Kenya and has been implemented in Kenya and other low and middle-income-countries for decades, effectiveness of this intervention in improving maternal nutrition status has been inadequate. This study aims to acquire insight into the degree to which IFAs policy guidelines during pregnancy have been implemented as intended and the challenges to implementation fidelity. Methods Data was collected in rural Uasin Gishu County in the western part of Kenya through document analysis, questionnaires among programme recipients (n=188) and semi-structured interviews with programme implementers (n=6). Themes emerging from data are critically discussed using a conceptual framework based on programme theory and the programme implementation fidelity framework. Results Coverage of IFAs is widespread. However, policy content, frequency and participant responsiveness is not fully implemented. Only 10% accessed intervention within the first trimester as recommended by policy guidelines, only 18% and 15% of the respondents received 90 or more iron and folic acid pills respectively during their entire pregnancy period only 28% reported receiving nutritional counselling, and 66% completed taking the IFAs pills that were issued to them. Late initial bookings to antenatal care, drug stock shortage, staff shortage and long queues, confusing dosage instructions, side effects of the pills were established to be the main challenges to effective implementation fidelity. Anticipated health consequences and emphasis by the health officer to take the pills were established to be motivations for adherence to supplements. Conclusions Rather than targeting pregnant women who turn up for care at the health facilities, IFAs interventions should introduce community-based outreach programmes and make use of community-based health workers. This will not only relief the crowded health facilities for effective implementation integrity, but will also reach out to pregnant women within the first trimester when IFAs impact on health is greater and reach out to those women do not turn up at all for interventions at a health facility. Due to shortage and low compliance to IFAs pills, nutritional counselling is vital to promote consumption of locally available micro-nutrient rich food sources.

scholarly journals Adherence to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation and Its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Bwindi Community Hospital, Western Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Christine Nimwesiga ◽  
Mereth Murezi ◽  
Ivan Mugisha Taremwa
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Iron And Folic Acid ◽  
Western Uganda

Aims/Objectives. This study assessed the adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and the associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bwindi Community Hospital, in Western Uganda. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that used an interviewer-administered questionnaire and reviewed medical records. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with iron and folic acid supplementation. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value < 0.05 were used to assess for statistical significance. Results. We enrolled 438 pregnant women aged 16 to 41years. Participants’ mean age (±standard deviation (SD)) was 25.9 (±3.17) years. The self-reported adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation (consumed ≥4 tablets a week or 20 tablets in a month daily without missing the prescribed dosage) was 22.37% ( N = 98 ). Among the adherent pregnant women, the reported reasons (and their respective proportionality) for adherence were getting advice and counseling from the healthcare worker about the good effects of iron and folic acid supplementation ( N = 34 , 34.69%) and knowledge about the health benefits of iron and folic acid supplementation such as preventing anemia ( N = 16 , 16.33%), among others. On the other hand, the reported reasons (and their respective proportionality) for iron and folic acid nonadherence were forgetfulness ( N = 158 , 46.47%), taking too many pills ( N = 7 , 2.06%), not knowing the usefulness of iron and folic acid supplementation ( N = 29 , 8.53%), fear of the side effects of the medication ( N = 119 , 35.00%), and not getting the supplement from the hospital ( N = 27 , 7.94%). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that pregnant women who were primigravida ( adjusted   odds   ratio   AOR = 4.5 ), who have parity of 2 or 3 ( AOR = 3.4 ), who perceived importance of iron and folic acid supplementation to prevent anemia ( AOR = 2.9 ), and who considered it important to take iron and folic acid supplementation ( AOR = 2.9 ) showed a statistically significant association with adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation. Moreover, pregnant women who perceived the risk of not taking iron and folic acid supplementation ( AOR = 5.2 ), those who received sufficient health education regarding the goals of iron and folic acid supplementation as well as the dangers of not taking the supplements ( AOR = 4.4 ) and adequate counseling, and those who obtained an explanation of the effects of iron and folic acid ( AOR = 4.8 ) showed a significant association with adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation. Conclusion. This study found a low adherence of iron and folic acid supplementation and was associated with obstetric and client- and health system-related characteristics. To this end, there is a need for individualized strategies targeting such factors and intensifying health education, guidance, and counseling to optimize adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation.

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

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