Publication:

A cross-sectional study on factors associated with iron-folic acid supplement adherence among antenatal women of Haringhata block of Nadia district, West Bengal

Background Anaemia, lack of can cause health complications across all age groups, particularly among pregnant women. In India, despite various governmental and non-governmental initiatives, the coverage and compliance of iron folic acid (IFA) therapy among pregnant women remain inadequate. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-adherence and its determinants among pregnant mothers in Haringhata block, Nadia district, West Bengal.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, selecting eligible pregnant mothers through simple random sampling from sub-centre lists. Confidential interviews were conducted using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire, with informed consent obtained from participants. Data were entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) 20.0.

Results Results showed that 37.7% of pregnant women were anaemic, and 19.9% were non-adherent to IFA supplements. Among the non-adherent, 56.5% missed IFA intake due to forgetfulness. Lack of knowledge was a significant barrier, with 53.42% unaware of IFA benefits and none knowing the exact duration of intake. Bivariate analyses indicated higher odds of non-adherence among mothers whose husbands were unemployed/unskilled, who suffered from anaemia, and who lacked knowledge about IFA benefits.

Conclusions The study findings suggest that addressing forgetfulness, providing accurate knowledge about IFA intake, and targeted interventions for teenage mothers can improve adherence rates, preventing anaemia and enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.