World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ADHERENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS ON IRON FOLATE SUPPLEMENT USE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES OF BAHIR DAR TOWN, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA 2015.

Ataguade Mekonnen*, Zemenu Awoke and Gelila Goba

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world, affecting more than two billion people globally and more specifically pregnant women. Anemia is estimated to contribute to more than 115,000 maternal deaths and 591,000 perinatal deaths globally per year. But adherence rate to iron folate supplement to prevent anemia remains very low. Objective: To assess rate of adherence and associated factors on iron folate supplement use among pregnant women attending antenatal care in selected health facilities of Bahardar town, Amhara, Ethiopia. Method: An institution based cross sectional study which comprised 395 study participants was conducted. Data was entered to Epi-info and transported to SPSS for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was computed and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with adherence to IFA use. Associations between adherence to IFA and predictors was summarized by using crude odds ratio (COR), adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and statistical significances was tested by Wald chi-square test at 95% confidence interval (CI). COR and AOR were reported with 95% CI. All tests were two- sided and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The rate of self-reported adherence to iron folate supplement use among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics of Baharedare town was 41.5%. The independent predictors for maternal adherence to iron folic acid supplement use were parity (multiparous [AOR=2.28, CI 1.12-4.69] and primiparous [AOR=3.45, CI 1.73-6.89]), presence of IFA supplement intake side effects [AOR=7.53, CI 4.48-12.67] and obtaining any encouragement from family member to take their daily IFA tablets [AOR=2.48, CI 1.41-4.37]. Conclusion: Adherence to IFA supplement utilization is still very low in the study area. Parity, presence of encouragement from family member and side effects of the IFA supplement/tablet were significantly associated to adherence to supplement use. An effort to minimize the tablet related side effects and health education to improve encouragement from family member and educate mothers during their ANC visit on the benefits of taking IFA supplement as well as promotion and strengthening of ANC service to increase adherence should be considered.

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