WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Sarah Mahmood Abd Al Latif, Prof. Ali Abd Ali Sahib

ABSTRACT

Background: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy increases the risk of complications for both mother and baby, including preterm labor, bleeding, weak immunity, and low birth weight. Compliance with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementations associated with many factors such as knowledge of anemia, and knowledge of iron and folic acid supplementations. Objectives: To assess the compliance of pregnant women to iron and folic acid supplementation, to assess the associated factors related to compliance and to assess the knowledge of pregnant women regarding anemia and iron-folic acid supplementations. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at primary health care centers in Diyala governorate -Iraq, from the 1st of March 2024 to 31st August 2024. Data of 385 pregnant women who attended primary health care centers was collected using modified questionnaire including their compliance to iron and folic acid supplementation and knowledge about anemia and iron and folic acid supplementation. Results: Mean age was 27.71±6.224 years. There were 213 (55.3%) participants who were compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation. Compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation was significantly associated with participant who have higher education, employed, employed husbands, family size of 1-3 members, have no children, first antenatal care visit before 4 months, frequency of antenatal care visit was 3-4 visits, Have no anemia during current pregnancy, negative History of anemia, and ≤30 minutes time to reach health care center by walking. While non-compliance was significantly associated with grand multigravida, having ≥5 children, and not getting advice about iron and folic acid supplementation from health professionals, and poor knowledge about anemia and iron and folic acid supplementation. Conclusions: About more than half of participants were compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation. Compliance was dominant among participants who have higher education, employed, employed husbands, family size of 1-3 members, have no children, first antenatal care visit before 4 months, frequency of antenatal care visit was 3-4 visits, and ≤ 30 minutes time to reach health care center by walking.