Compliance with Iron-Folic Acid supplementation, associated factors, and barriers among postpartum women in Eastern India

Background

Anemia is a widespread health issue that affects approximately one-third of women of reproductive age in developing countries. While anemia during pregnancy is adequately addressed, it is often overlooked postpartum. This study aimed to determine the compliance with and barriers to Iron-Folic Acid supplementation (IFA) and its associated factors.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 312 postpartum women who met the inclusion criteria. These women were interviewed to assess their compliance with and barriers to IFA supplementation.

Results

Only 20.80 % of participants complied with IFA supplementation after childbirth, compared to 56.8 % who were compliant during pregnancy. The primary reason for noncompliance with IFA supplementation was a lack of counseling (93.5 %) by healthcare workers, forgetfulness (23.6 %), and bloating (30.8 %). Other barriers included a lack of awareness, sociocultural barriers, healthcare-related barriers, side effects, and misconceptions. Postnatal women aged 19–35 with obstetrical complications and who maintained Mother Child Protection cards were more likely to comply with IFA supplements.

Conclusion

Poor compliance with IFA supplementation reflects gross negligence of self-health care during the postpartum period, which can have long-term deleterious consequences on the mother's and her baby's health. Healthcare providers must deliver quality education, screen and monitor for anemia, and follow up on IFA supplementation to address the barrier postnatal women face. This can be achieved through culturally acceptable, comprehensive, and context-specific strategies.