Abstract:
Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and
mortality among pregnant women in developing country. Eventhogh prenatal iron folic
acid supplement has paramount contribution for reducing anemia; in Ethiopia its
coverage is very low.
Objective: The objective of this study was to Assess Adherence of prenatal iron/folic
acid supplement and its associated factors among Antenatal Care attendant mothers of
Goba woreda, South East Ethiopia.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted at Goba woreda,
from March10 to May 10 2014. Data were collected by using pretested questionnaires.
A total of 405 mothers were included in the study. The response rates of the study were
96.4%. Data were entered and analysis using SPSS version 20. Both bivarate and
multivariate logistic regression analysed was carried out to see significant association, a
P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant association.
Result: This study revealed that 18% of the studied subjects had adhered to IFA
supplement. Educational status of mother, knowledge on anemia (AOR =0.41 (95% CI
0.20, 0.84)), knowledge on benefit of iron folic acid (AOR =.38 (95% CI .20-0.77), health
Education during prenatal visit (AOR =4.03 (95% CI 1.4- 11.5) and history of abortion
(AOR=3.79(1.68-8.55) were found to be factors associated with adherence to iron folic
acid supplement.
Conclusion: The adherence rate to IFA supplements is low among pregnant women
attending ANC. Educational status of mother, Knowledge on anemia, Knowledge on benefits
of iron folic acid, and Health education at the time of supplement collection are Factors with
significantly associated to adherence of IFA.
Sensitization of the community about anemia and IFA supplement and continuous and
timely supply of IFA to all health facilities would be very important
