Compliance of Iron Supplementation during pregnancy and factors effecting compliance.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims at measuring compliance to iron supplements because iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is worldwide problem among pregnant women, so Iron supplements are advised usually in once daily regimen but compliance to iron supplements therapy is a major problem due to possible side effects and long-term duration of therapy. Study Design: Retrospective questionnaire-based study. Setting: Mola Bakhsh Hospitals, Sargodha, Pakistan, Period: From February to December, 2018. Material & Methods: This study was design to check compliance to iron supplementation during pregnancy and various factors related to directly and indirectly noncompliance to iron supplementation. A total of 267 pregnant females were recruited in study. Data was collected through a questionnaire translated in local language. On this basis sample population was divided into three groups compliant, partially compliant and non-compliant major factors associated with the prevalence of anemia and non-compliance to iron supplements were education, side effects, financial issues, forgetfulness, personal beliefs, disliking of pharmaceutical preparation etc. Results: After thorough analysis it was found that iron deficiency anemia is prevalent in about 64% of females in the third trimester. Improvement in Hb level in third trimester compared to 1^st trimester was taken as parameter for measurement of compliance. Conclusion: side effects due these iron supplements and certain human habits act as hurdle to fight anemia during pregnancy and to eradicate these hurdles certain steps like education of women about anemia, its causes, health implication and imparting nutritional education with special emphasis to improve dietary intake of proteins and iron.