Factors associated with use of iron and folic acid supplements by pregnant women in Rural Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Introduction: Folate and iron deficiency during pregnancy are risk factors for anaemia, pretermdelivery, and low birth weight, and may contribute to poor neonatal health and increasedmaternal mortality. In India, in 65 percent of births, mothers received iron and folic acidsupplements during pregnancy, but only 23 percent consumed them for the recommended 90days or more (NFHS-3, India, 2005-06). The World Health Organization recommendssupplementation of iron and folic acid for all pregnant women at risk of malnutrition to preventanaemia. Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the factors associated with theconsumption of iron and folic acid supplements by pregnant women. Materials and Methods:This is a community based cross-sectional study design based on primary data at individual level.The study was conducted among the women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) whodelivered during last 24 months of the survey. The study was conducted in rural areas ofVaranasi district, Uttar Pradesh, with sample size of 523 pregnant women. Pre-tested interviewschedule was used for data collection. Results: The study showed that 71.1% women received100 or more IFA tablets while only 55.1% of mothers consumed 100 or more iron and folic acidtablets during pregnancy. Significant association was observed between the consumption of theiron and folic acid tablets with the increasing age of respondents (P<0.05), caste (P<0.05),educational status of women (P<0.05), working status of women (p<0.05), education andoccupation of husband (P<0.05), socio-economic status of the family (P<0.05) and frequency ofantenatal check-up (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded that increasing frequency of antenatalcheck-ups during pregnancy has a positive influence on the consumption of iron and folic acidtablets. Still there is poor consumption of IFA tablets among pregnant women, so that attemptsshould be made to increase iron folic acid (IFA) supplementation among women with pregnancycomplications.