Adherence and Associated Factors of Prenatal Iron Folic Acid Supplementation among Pregnant Women Who Attend Ante Natal Care in Health Facility at Mizan-Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia, 2015

Sisay Shewasinad* and Sophonia

Abstract

Background: Globally, more than 25% of population is highly affected by anaemia. At least half of anaemia worldwide is because of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) deficiency, which is due primarily to a lack of dietary iron bioavailability or increased requirements such as pregnancy. IFA is also responsible for 95% of anaemia during pregnancy. Objective: To assess Adherence And Associated Factors Of Prenatal Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Among Pregnant Women Who Attend Ante Natal Care In Health Facility At Mizan-Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia, 2015. Methods: A cross sectional facility based quantitative study complemented by in-depth interview of key informants was implemented. A total of 462 pregnant women from Ante natal clinics were studied from May 29, 2015-June 23, 2015. Results: Among 462 pregnant women, the adherence level of IFA supplement was 326 (70.6%). The most reasons for adherence were clinician counselling, 280 (95.6%), believe that adherence increase their blood volume 56 (19%) and fear of illness 53 (18%). Conclusion and recommendation: Adherence rate to iron-folic acid supplementation were medium. Comprehensive counselling should focus on the importance of adherence to iron folic acid supplements and duration of supplement utilization.