BACKGROUND: Adherence to iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy is considered key to prevention and control of iron deficiency anemia. Nepal-like other developing countries-faces problems with adherence vis-a-vis iron/folate supplementation. OBJECTIVE: This descriptive survey aimed to assess the effect ofknowledge and perception ofpregnant women on adherence to iron/folate supplementation in Kathmandu, Nepal. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was conducted in Paropakar Maternity and Womens' Hospital in Kathmandu. Systematic random sampling was used to select 406 persons who were either given a self-administered questionnaire or interviewed. RESULTS: 73.2% of the respondents showed good adherence. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between adherence and both knowledge and perception (p<0.05), but through multiple linear regression analysis only perception was found to be statistically associated with adherence (p<0.05). Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that the most important predictors of adherence were: perception of side effects, availability, forgetfulness and reminders from family. CONCLUSION: Adherence to iron/folate supplementation among women during pregnancy needs continuous improvement by minimizing the perception of constraints (viz., side-effects and forgetfulness) and, enhancing availability andfamily support.
BACKGROUND: Adherence to iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy is considered key to prevention and control of iron deficiency anemia. Nepal-like other developing countries-faces problems with adherence vis-a-vis iron/folate supplementation. OBJECTIVE: This descriptive survey aimed to assess the effect ofknowledge and perception ofpregnant women on adherence to iron/folate supplementation in Kathmandu, Nepal. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was conducted in Paropakar Maternity and Womens' Hospital in Kathmandu. Systematic random sampling was used to select 406 persons who were either given a self-administered questionnaire or interviewed. RESULTS: 73.2% of the respondents showed good adherence. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between adherence and both knowledge and perception (p<0.05), but through multiple linear regression analysis only perception was found to be statistically associated with adherence (p<0.05). Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that the most important predictors of adherence were: perception of side effects, availability, forgetfulness and reminders from family. CONCLUSION: Adherence to iron/folate supplementation among women during pregnancy needs continuous improvement by minimizing the perception of constraints (viz., side-effects and forgetfulness) and, enhancing availability andfamily support.