Abstract:
Background:-Adherence to Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation is crucial for the
prevention of birth defects and anemia during pregnancy. Pregnant women are said to be
“adherent” to iron folate supplements if they took 65% or more of the supplement
equivalent to taking the supplement at least 4 days a week during pregnancy. Iron and
folate deficiency are the major causes of nutritional anaemia. During pregnancy iron and
folate requirements is high and the amount of iron absorbed from the diet is not sufficient
to meet their requirements.
Objectives:-To determine the magnitude of Adherence to iron-folic acid
supplementation and associated factors among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal
Care Services in South West Shoa Zone Amaya District Public Health Facilities in 2023.
Methods: - Facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among pregnant
women who have been attending antenatal care in Amaya public health facilities from
April 01 to May 30/2023. A total of 397 pregnant mothers attending the services in
Amaya District of selected health facilities during the study periods were included in the
study. Systematic sampling technique was used to select the pregnant women who were
participating in the study. Data was collected by using pre-tested structured questionnaire
administered using face to face interview. Data were entered using epi info version 7.1
and analysed using SPSS version 20. Data Analysis was done using descriptive statistics
and binary logistic regression model at 95% confidence intervals (CI) with adjusted odds
ratios (AOR) computed to identify the presence and strength of association. Statistical
significance was declared at p-value < 0.05 along with 95% CI of the AOR.
Results:-The finding of this study revealed that adherence to iron-folic acid
supplementation among pregnant women was 54.4%:95% CI (49.2-59.3). The
independent factors those significantly associated with Adherence to iron- folic acid
supplementation were women with Pregnant Mothers of secondary & above Educational
level (AOR=40: 95% CI (14.06-98), knowledge about anemia (AOR=2.08; 95% CI
(1.15–3.74), ANC follow up visit start up week ≤12 weeks (AOR=23.66; 95%CI (6.31-
88.7) & Gestational age of the pregnant mothers those of at 1st Trimester/≤12 weeks
(AOR=4.03:95% CI (1.37-44.13) were significantly associated with Adherence to IFAS.
Conclusion: The overall adherence level to IFA supplementation among pregnant
women in this study was 210 (54.4%). This implies that many pregnant women those of
following Antenatal Care visit continue to practice in contravention of WHO guidelines
and it needs more attention to promote adherence to IFA usage during the antenatal
period in health care facilities. Furthermore, this study revealed that women’s
Educational status, Antenatal care start up week, Gestational Age & Knowledge of
Anemia were highly significant to Adherence to iron-folic acid.
