Maternal Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Abstract

Background: Anaemia in pregnant women is a serious nutritional health concern all over the world especially in developing countries. While Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common anaemia, and typically it results when dietary iron intake is inadequate for haemoglobin synthesis. Oral Iron supplementation is associated with GIT and absorption problems leading to reduced bioavailability and adherence issues. Therefore it is needed to educate patients about their medication, possible side effects, iron rich foods, enhancers and inhibitors of iron to obtain maximum health goals in maternal anaemia. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of educational intervention with emphasis on iron-rich food consumption on knowledge, adherence and haemoglobin level during iron deficiency maternal anaemia. Methodology: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted at PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals on pregnant out patients who were in 2nd trimester having multigravida, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were selected. Results: Out of 198 pregnant women enrolled, 116 completed the study (Intervention: 60; Control: 56). At the end of the educational intervention and counselling on iron rich food diet, the change in haemoglobin level was significantly high in the intervention over control group [1.71 gm/dl vs. 0.25 gm/dl, p = <0.001]. The change in the mean knowledge score in the intervention over control group [12.21± 2.75 vs. 2.06 ± 2.67, p<0.001], mean adherence score to iron supplementation in the intervention over control group [7.33 ± 1.64 to 0.51 ± 1.11] and consumption of iron rich food was significantly high in the intervention over control group. Mean score of perceived barriers to iron supplementation decreased significantly in the intervention over control group. There was significant and strong correlation of knowledge and perceived barriers with adherence to iron supplementation. Conclusion: This educational intervention programme emphasizing iron-rich foods consumption was found to be positively associated with improved haemoglobin levels, knowledge, adherence and iron rich dietary intake of pregnant women and could be a practical and effective strategy in future. Key words: Iron supplementation, bioavailability, adherence, inhibitors, enhancers