https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6922-0376
Abstract
Introduction
Even though the World Health Organization recommends daily oral iron with folic acid (IFA) supplementation as part of the antenatal care to prevent anemia, still the utilization remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of adherence of iron with folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women who were attending antenatal care (ANC).
Methods
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 24 to March 23, 2020. Four hundred and twenty-two participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Data were entered and analyzed using EpiData and SPSS version 20.0, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify associated factors of adherence, and P<0.05 was used as cutoff to determine statistical significance at multivariable logistics regressions.
Results
In this study, 414 (98%) pregnant women participated. The mean age of the respondents was 28.69 ±SD 5.49 years. The magnitude of adherence of IFA supplementation among pregnant women was 67.6% (95%CI: 63.3–72.5). Pregnant women who had a past history of preterm delivery (AOR=3.70; 95%CI: 1.46–9.37), counseling on IFA supplementation (AOR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.15–4.53), high perceived benefit (AOR=2.72; 95%CI: 1.25–5.90) and high self-efficacy (AOR=2.91; 95%CI: 1.40–6.04) were found to be significant associated factors of adherence to IFA supplementation.
Conclusion
In this study, adherence to IFA supplementation among pregnant women is relatively high. Past history of preterm delivery, counseling on IFA supplementation, perceived benefit and self-efficiency had association with adherence to IFA supplementation. Proper counseling and health education should be given to pregnant women to increase their adherence.
Abbreviations
ANC, antenatal care; AOR, adjusted odds ratio; COR, Crude odds ratio; EDHS, Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey; HBM, health belieF model; IFA, iron with folic acid.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of Institute of Public Health, Collage of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar. A formal letter from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health was written to the district health office. And then the permission and support letter was obtained from the respective district health office. The data was collected from each participant after obtaining informed, voluntary, written and signed consent before the start of data collection. Respondents’ names were not written on the questionnaire for anonymity and confidentiality of their information. Assent was obtained from participants under the age of 18 years and was approved by the research and the Ethical Review Committee of Institute of Public Health, Collage of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar to provide informed consent on their behalf. Individuals were informed that it was fully voluntary, they could withdraw from the study at any time or refuse to answer, could ask anything about the study and that would not affect them. This study was conducted following the Declaration of the Helsinki.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the academic staffs of the Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar for their generosity, support and cooperation. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the data collectors, supervisors and participants for their unreserved cooperation.
Author Contributions
All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.