IRON COMPLIANCE DURING ANTEPARTUM AND POSTPARTUM PERIOD AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CLINIC OF A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Daily oral iron supplementation, beginning from second trimester of pregnancy till 45 days postpartum, is recommended by national protocol to reduce risk of low birth weight, maternal anaemia and iron deficiency. The aim of the study was to assess iron compliance during antepartum and postpartum period among women attending maternal and child health clinic.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among women visiting maternal and child health clinic of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for first dose of infant’s pentavalent vaccine. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used to select 426 sample for the study. Data were collected through interview schedule using structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, etc.), and inferential statistics (simple binary logistic and multiple logistic regression).

Results: Overall compliance during both pregnancy and postpartum was 61.0%. The common reason for compliance included doctors’ prescription (53.8%) followed by self-awareness (41.1%). For non-compliance, negligence or forgetfulness (16.2%) was commonest reason followed by improper information provided during pregnancy and postpartum (15.3%). Significant association was found between number of ANC visits [p=0.017,OR=0.269(0.091-0.792)], self-awareness on iron supplementation [p=<0.001, OR=0.319(0.198-0.515)] and buying tablets from pharmacy rather than free supply [p=0.001, OR=0.437(0.274-0.698)].

Conclusions: Iron compliance during antenatal and postnatal period is low among women. Enhancing self-awareness on iron supplementation through education and counseling among women during antenatal and postnatal visits and regular prescription could improve iron compliance during pregnancy and postpartum period.