scholarly journals Barriers to Optimal Iron Supplementation by Pregnant Women Attending the Mutare City Clinic, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Plaxcedia Mahundi ◽  
Kirthee Pillay ◽  
Nicola Wiles

The optimal use of iron supplements by pregnant women is important in ensuring healthy pregnancy outcomes. However, some barriers may prevent the optimal use of iron supplements by pregnant women in developing countries, subsequently resulting in iron deficiency anaemia, threatening the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. This study aimed to identify possible barriers to optimal iron supplementation among pregnant women and possible strategies for alleviating these barriers. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Mutare City Clinic in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. A total of 64 Black African pregnant women aged between 17 and 39 years participated in 8 focus group discussions. The pregnant women identified several barriers to the optimal use of iron supplements. The major barriers were poor compliance mainly due to erratic supplies of iron supplements at the healthcare centre, inadequate nutrition education on the benefits of iron supplements, side effects, and religious and cultural beliefs. Poverty and the influence of family members were other barriers. Most pregnant women were accustomed to receiving iron supplements free of charge from the healthcare centres and could not afford to buy them from private pharmacies. Despite erratic supplies at healthcare centres, continuous reinforcement of positive iron supplementation could motivate pregnant women to take iron supplements. Intensive nutrition education programmes may help to improve perceptions of women towards iron supplements. This could possibly help to overcome barriers to optimal iron supplementation, and thus reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women in Zimbabwe.

Author(s):  
Mazharul Islam ◽  
Atiya Khan ◽  
Arish Mohammad Khan Sherwani

Introduction: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency. Globally, nearly two billion people are affected by anaemia. This disease most often affects children, women of child-bearing age, and pregnant women. Nearly half of the pregnant women in the world are estimated to be anaemic. Its prevalence varies according to region and socio-economic conditions. The majority of those who are anaemic live in developing countries where the problem is exacerbated by limited access to inadequate resources and appropriate treatment. Aim: To find out the prevalence of IDA in the reproductive age group women and its associated factors. Materials and Methods: This hospital based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 females, of age group 15-49 years. After obtaining the written informed consent, eligible subjects were inquired about socio-demographic variables, socio-economic status, anthropometric measurements and risk factors. Required investigations were done. All the information was recorded on the semi-structured schedule form. Chi-square/Fisher’s-exact test was used to find the significance of study parameters on categorical scale between two or more groups. Results: Prevalence of IDA was found to be 42% (168/400). Prevalence of IDA was significant with habitat (p=0.0180), exercise (p=0.0004), amount of blood loss during menstruation (p<0.0001), duration of flow during menstruation, (p=0.0020), consumption of fish (p=0.0002), consumption of legumes (p=0.002), consumption of green leafy vegetable (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Results confirmed an increased prevalence of IDA in women of reproductive age group.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Udho ◽  
Joyce Nankumbi ◽  
Mariam Namutebi ◽  
Grace Ndeezi ◽  
Joshua Epuitai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia among pregnant women in Uganda. However, due to the high cost of biochemical tests required to determine iron deficiency, the prevalence and factors associated with iron deficiency remain largely unstudied in our setting. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of iron deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, Lira District-Uganda.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Maternal serum ferritin was used as a measure of iron deficiency and was determined using a Cobas 6000 Automated Analyzer. Iron deficiency was based on serum ferritin of <30 μg/L. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the characteristics of the study participants. Binary and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify the associated factors.Results The prevalence of iron deficiency was 45%. Non-adherence to iron supplements (AOR: 2.05 95% CI: 1.02-4.12) & third trimester pregnancy (AOR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.20-2.94) were significantly associated with iron deficiency during pregnancy.Conclusion Nearly 5 in 10 of the participants had iron deficiency. Iron deficiency during pregnancy was associated with non-adherence to iron supplements and being in the third trimester of pregnancy. Midwives should encourage pregnant women to adhere to iron supplements during pregnancy especially pregnant women who are in the third trimester.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djoko Suharno ◽  
Muhilal

A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of iron and vitamin A deficiencies in 318 pregnant women revealed that 50.7% had iron deficiency and 21.3% had marginally deficient or deficient vitamin A status. Based on results, the influence of vitamin A and iron supplementation was studied in 305 anaemic pregnant women in west Java, in a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled field trial. The women with a haemoglobin between 80 and 109 g/L were randomly allocated to four groups: vitamin A (2.4 mg retinol) and placebo iron tablets; iron (60 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulphate) and placebo vitamin A; vitamin A and iron; and both placebos, all daily for eight weeks. Maximum haemoglobin was achieved with both vitamin A and iron supplementation (12. 78 g/L, 95% Cl 10.86 to 14.70), with one-third of the response attributable to vitamin A (3.68 g/L, 2.03 to 5.33) and two-thirds to iron (771 g/L, 5.97 to 9.45). After supplementation, the proportion of women who became non-anaemic was 35 % in the vitamin Asupplemented group, 68% in the ironsupplemented group, 97% in the group supplemented with both, and 16% in the placebo group. We conclude that improvement in vitamin A status may contribute to the control of anaemia in pregnant women.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner Schultink

The prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia remains especially high in developing countries, despite large-scale iron-supplementation programmes. The reasons for the lack of success of these programmes are discussed based on the results of original research conducted in Indonesia. Studies among pregnant women in rural Sulawesi and urban Jakarta demonstrated that besides insufficient coverage of the target group, women's compliance with tablet intake was a serious problem. Compliance may be improved when it is not necessary to take tablets on a daily basis. Studies among pre-school children and non-pregnant women proved the effectiveness of once-weekly and twice-weekly supplementation. These supplementation schedules should also be investigated in pregnant women.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1415-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Pacey ◽  
Hope Weiler ◽  
Grace M Egeland

AbstractObjectiveTo report the prevalence rates and correlates for anaemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) among Inuit preschool-aged children.DesignA cross-sectional study assessed iron intake, demographic information, medical history, anthropometrics, Hb, ferritin, C-reactive protein and antibodies toHelicobacter pylori.SettingSixteen selected Inuit communities in Nunavut Territory, Canada.SubjectsInuit (n388) aged 3–5 years randomly recruited from communities.ResultsAnaemia (3–4 years: Hb < 110 g/l; 5 years: Hb < 115 g/l) was prevalent in 16·8 % of children. The prevalence of ID (ferritin < 12 μg/l) was 18·0 % and that of IDA was 5·4 %. When ID was defined as ferritin <10 μg/l, 10·8 % of children were iron deficient and 3·3 % had IDA. In multiple logistic regression, boys were more likely to be iron deficient (OR = 2·28, 95 % CI 1·17, 8·25), but no other risk factor emerged for ID. Three- to 4-year-olds were less likely than 5-year-olds to have anaemia from causes other than ID (OR = 0·11, 95 % CI 0·08, 0·58). Anaemia from other causes was more common among children residing in crowded homes (OR = 2·30, 95 % CI 1·37, 12·31) and those treated for past-year ear infection (OR = 1·35, 95 % CI 1·05, 7·21).ConclusionsThe low prevalence of ID and IDA is encouraging, but efforts are still needed to reduce rates as they continue to be higher than general population rates. Household crowding and infections may contribute to anaemia and warrant further research.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritsuko Aikawa ◽  
Ngyen C Khan ◽  
Satoshi Sasaki ◽  
Colin W Binns

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam and to determine its risk factors.DesignA cross-sectional survey.SettingVietnam, Nghe An Province.Study populationThe total number of participants was 439. Of these participants, one was excluded from the study due to a mental disorder. Forty-seven did not participate in the test for parasites and 68 did not complete at least one of the questions.ResultsThe prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) < 11.0 g dl−1) was 43.2% and of severe anaemia (Hb < 8.0 g dl−1) was 0.5%. Taking iron tablets, the consumption of eggs and the preference for Western medicine significantly and positively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women in a multiple regression analysis. Pregnancy duration and hookworm infestation significantly and negatively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women.ConclusionThe prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam has remained as high as that found in the national anaemia survey in 2000. The results of the present study could aid in the development of an iron-deficiency anaemia programme among pregnant women in rural Vietnam that emphasises iron supplementation, parasite control and improved diet, including the consumption of eggs. The programme's focus should be on women who prefer traditional medicine to Western medicine.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christinah Nuwahereza ◽  
Saul Kamukama ◽  
Christine Nalwadda Kayemba ◽  
Gerald Obai

Abstract Objectives To establish the association between consumption of iron bio-fortified beans and iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59 months in Isingiro district rural Uganda.Design A cross sectional study was conducted in Isingiro District, Western Uganda in May 2019 among 499 participants (Child- mothers). Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on the child health status, demographics as well as dietary history. In addition, blood samples were collected from a finger prick and tested for heamoglobin levels using hemocue 301 and data was analysed using STATA Setting This was a community based study in rural Uganda.Participants A total of 499 children aged 6-59 months and their mothers/main caretakers in Isingiro district rural Uganda were recruited. Results Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was at 39.3% while prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was 26.3%. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was protective against iron deficiency anaemia (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.46, 0.96), dietary diversity (APR= 0.57, 95% CI 0.33, 0.86), mothers’ occupation (APR= 0.62, 95% CI 0.43, 0.90), child age (APR= 0.38, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84).Conclusions This study found that, more than a third of the participants were consuming iron bio-fortified beans and more than a quarter of the participants suffered from iron deficiency anaemia with most cases being mild anaemia. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with mother’s occupation and main source of beans. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59months and we are not able to conclude that it was protective against anaemia because of the study design. There were other factors that were associated with iron deficiency anaemia such as, dietary diversity, child age, and mother’s occupation. Therefore from this study we conclude that reducing anaemia in this study area requires a multi sectoral approach so as to improve dietary diversity and livelihoods.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhilal ◽  
Iman Sumarno ◽  
Komari

Iron-deficiency anaemia is one of the main nutritional problems in Indonesia, with a prevalence of 63.5% in pregnant women and 55.5% in pre-school children. Its frequency is related to low iron and folic acid contents of the diet. Intervention programmes to alleviate irondeficiency anaemia are iron tablets for adults, iron syrup for infants and schoolchildren, and iron fortification of foods. Our studies have demonstrated that iron supplementation can reduce the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women by 20% to 25%, and iron fortification can reduce it by 20% for those consuming the fortified foods. If iron-supplementation, iron-fortification, and diet-modification programmes were fully implemented in a community, the expected reduction in the prevalence of anaemia would be greater.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document