Effect of direct monitoring by family members and counseling by health professionals on iron-folic acid supplementation: A cross-sectional study among pregnant women in Puducherry, India.

Background: The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant Indian women is reportedly quite high. Despite the sustained efforts of the current national control program and undisputed efficacy of iron-folic acid supplementation (IFAS), the onslaught of anemia has not been curtailed, probably as a result of noncompliance to IFAS. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of direct monitoring of pregnant women by family members, counseling by health professionals, and other variables on adherence to IFAS in Puducherry, India.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 pregnant women visiting Outpatient Clinic, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry. Missing ≥2 doses of IFAS in the preceding 7 days was considered as nonadherence. The Pearson Chi-square test was applied to identify the association between the different variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions revealed variables affecting adherence.

Results: Around 34.4% of respondents reported nonadherence to IFAS. Direct monitoring by family members (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 7.04; P < 0.001), counseling by health professionals (aOR = 2.97; P = 0.002), and improvement in hemoglobin (Hb) levels (aOR = 2.4; P = 0.01) were associated with better adherence. Vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were common ADRs. The distance to hospital, improvement in Hb levels, counseling by health professionals, and direct monitoring by family members significantly reduced the odds of ADRs.

Conclusion: Direct monitoring of intake by family members and counseling by health professionals improved adherence to IFAS. Further in-depth formative research studies are recommended for strategies to improve adherence to IFAS in the vulnerable pregnant population of Puducherry and streamline the implementation of anemia national control program in a specific context.