Compliance to Iron - Folic Acid Supplementation among Pregnant Muslim Women in Imphal, Manipur, India: A Cross - Sectional Study

Background: Intermittent Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) is advised in areas where the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women is $20%. Effectiveness and successful interventions of national strategy will depend on compliance to IFAS. This study was conducted to determine the proportion of antenatal mothers compliant to Iron-folic acid supplementation and to identify the factors influencing it. Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the proportion of antenatal mothers non-compliant to IFAS and also to identify the factors affecting it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic was done from September, 2020 to February, 2021 at an Urban Primary Health Centre, Imphal East District. Patients aged $18 years, completed 12 weeks of pregnancy and started IFAS were consecutively enrolled according to OPD registration list and interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Logistic regression was performed for determining association between selected variables, taking p<0.05 for statistical significance. Results: Out of 142 women participated in the study, 97 (68%) were compliant to IFAS. Women who were multigravida (AOR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.038-0.48), self purchased IFAS (AOR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.054-0.47) were found to be less likely to be compliant to IFAS. Women of good knowledge score (AOR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.7-23.8) regarding anaemia and IFAS were more likely to be compliant. Conclusion: Almost one-third of participants (91; 64.1%) were compliant to IFAS and it was associated with better knowledge. Being employee, multigravida and having purchased IFA by self were negatively associated with compliance. IFAS. There is a need to scale up health awareness on IFAS and Ante Natal Care coverage of antenatal IFAS supply through community level workers.