Adherence to Iron-Folic Acid among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Wolaita Zone Public Primary Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract Background: Among the micronutrient deficiencies, iron and folic acid are the most common and frequently occur in pregnant women. So, the objective of this study was to assess the adherence to iron and folic acid among pregnant women booking antenatal services in the study area. Methods and materials A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed from January – April 2022. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection using systematic sampling techniques to approach 327 pregnant women. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive analysis was performed. Adjusted odd ratios, along with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, were used and the level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05 with a corresponding 95% CI. Result: In this study, 339 (99%) pregnant women participated. The respondents' average age was 28.04 SD 5.3 years. The prevalence of adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant women was 68.1% (95% CI: 63.1–72.9). Mothers whose age less than 19 [AOR = 0.025; CI 95% (0.003, 0.218)], daily laborers [AOR = 0.127; CI 95% (0.028, 0.568)], and who had no history of abortion [AOR=0.276; CI 95% (0.086, 0.891)] were associated with adherence to iron-folic acid supplementation. Conclusion: In this study, adherence to IFA supplementation among pregnant women in the study area is relatively high. Appropriate counseling, and health education should be given to pregnant women to enhance their adherence.