Utilization Of Iron-Folic Acid Suppelementation And Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Service At Selected Health Centers In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Iron and folic acid are essential micronutrients for normal physiological function, growth and development as well as maintenance of life. Like many other nutrients, their demand increases during pregnancy creating a need for supplementation to meet daily requirement in pregnancy. However, receipt rates of the supplements at health facilities and whether women actually use, (ingest) the supplements is not clearly known. Objective: To assess the magnitude of utilization of iron-folic acid supplements and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care service at selected health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2025. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study design was employed. The data were collected from systematically selected 363 pregnant women attending antenatal care at each randomly selected health centers by using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews from July 15 to August 30, 2025. The data were entered to epi-info version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was carried out. Variance Inflation factor was checked out to identify the relationship between independent variables and VIF <10 is accepted. Hosmer and Leme show goodness of fit was checked. Variables with p value <0.25 in the bivariate logistic analysis was entered into multivariable logistic regression model. A 95 % confidence interval, adjusted odd ratio and variables with p value <0.05 in multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered as significant. Result: In the current study, a total of 363 pregnant mothers participated, yielding a response rate of 98.4%. The magnitude of Iron folic acid utilization among pregnant mothers was 228(62.8%) [95% CI (57.8%, 67.7%)].Number of people living in the household [AOR = 2.43, 95%CI (1.43, 4.20)], information of Iron folic acid [AOR=2.22:95%CI (1.24, 3.98)], antenatal care visited times [AOR=5.42:95%CI(1.40,11.94)] and knowledge [AOR = 4.69: 95% CI (2.77, 7.94)] were found to be significantly associated with iron folic acid utilization. Conclusions and recommendations the magnitude of utilization Iron folic acid among pregnant mothers was lower as compared to WHO standard as context of Ethiopia. Number of people living in the household, information, antenatal care visited times and knowledge were found to be significantly associated with iron folic acid utilization. Strengthen health education and strength ANC services to optimize iron–folic acid utilization.