Relationship between compliance to of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation and Anemia among Pregnant Women in Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Folate deficiency has been associated with abnormalities in both mothers and fetuses. This study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of non-compliance with IFAS among pregnant women and to determine if IFAS non-compliance influences anemia in Nyeri County, Kenya. This was a mixed methods study. Pregnant women attending antenatal care in level 4 and level 5 facilities were targeted. A sample of 385 respondents was calculated using modified formulae by Fisher. Questionnaires were used to collect information form the expectant mothers. The mean age was 31 years. The mean income was KES 50,912.Majority (64%) of respondents lived in rural areas. Majority (56%) of the respondents in the study indicated that they had at one time forgotten to take their IFAS supplements. Majority (55%) of the participants had hemoglobin levels of between 121 g/l and 150 g/l while 37% of the participants had hemoglobin levels of below 120 g/l. Chi-square tests showed a significant relationship (p=0.018) between compliance to IFAS and prevalence of Anemia. The study concluded that increasing prevalence of anemia among pregnant women can be attributed to the high prevalence of non-compliance among pregnant women in Nyeri County. Pregnant women should therefore be sensitized on the importance of complying with iron and folic acid supplements.