Factors Associated With Uptake of Iron Supplement During Pregnancy Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania: an Analysis of Data From the 2015 to 2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey

Dietary micronutrients intake and its effect on haemoglobin levels of pregnant women for clinic visit in the Mount Cameroon health area: a cross-sectional study

Background

Nutritional deficiencies and its consequences such as anaemia are frequent among pregnant women residing in under resource settings. Hence, this study sought to investigate specific dietary micronutrient inadequacy and its effect on maternal haemoglobin levels.

Methods

This institution based cross-sectional survey enrolled 1,014 consenting pregnant women consecutively. Data on socio-demographic, economic and antenatal characteristics were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) was assessed using the 24-h recall method and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g/dL) determined using a portable Hb metre. Significant levels between associations was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Among those enrolled, 40.9% were anaemic while 89.6% had inadequate dietary nutrient intake. In addition, uptake of blood supplements, haem iron, plant and animal-based foods rich in vitamin A were 71.5, 86.2, 35.5 and 12.6%, respectively. Moreover, anaemia prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in women who took iron-folic acid along with food groups rich in haem iron (38.5%) or both plant and animal vitamin A (29.0%). Besides, mean maternal Hb levels was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in women who consumed haem iron (11.08 ± 1.35) and vitamin A food groups (11.34 ± 1.30) when compared with their counterparts who did not consume haem iron (10.54 ± 1.19) and vitamin A food groups (10.74 ± 1.31).

Conclusion

Dietary uptake of foods rich in haem-iron and vitamin A significantly improves Hb levels in Cameroonian pregnant women. Our findings underscore the importance of improving maternal nutritional awareness and counselling during antenatal period to reduce the anaemia burden.

Magnitude and factors associated with iron supplementation among pregnant women in Southern and Eastern Regions of Ethiopia: Further Analysis of mini demographic and health survey 2019

Background

Anemia is a global public health problem that affects pregnant women. The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency which is extremely common in developing countries. World health organization reported that 36.5% of pregnant women are anemic globally. In Ethiopia, 27.08% of women of the reproductive age group are anemic. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the magnitude and factors associated with iron supplementation during pregnancy in the southern and eastern regions of Ethiopia.

Methods

The data used in this analysis were extracted from Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019. The survey was conducted in 9 regional states and two city administrations. The data used in the analysis were extracted from individual women datasets, and 1780 study participants were included in this study. The logistic regression analysis including bivariate and multivariable logistic regression at a 95% confidence interval and a p-value less than 0.05 was used.

Result

The finding of the study shows that iron supplementation during pregnancy in Southern and Eastern parts of Ethiopia was 50.06%. Among those who received iron, only about 20% took it for 90 days and more during their pregnancy. Iron supplementation among the pregnant women was affected by secondary education [AOR = 2.20, 95%CI (1.325, 3.638)], residing in urban [AOR = 1.75, 95%CI (1.192, 2.574)], having media at home [AOR = 1.41, 95%CI (1.022, 1.946)], having antenatal care follow up [AOR = 9.27, 95%CI (4.727, 18.169)], having 4 and more ANC follow up [AOR = 2.01, 95%CI (1.468,2.760], having antenatal care follow up at government health institutions [AOR = 3.40, 95%CI (1.934, 5.982)], and giving birth at governmental health institutions [AOR = 1.70, 95%CI (1.236, 2.336)].

Conclusion

Only one in two pregnant women was supplemented with iron during their recent pregnancy. The supplementation was affected by women's education, place of residence, presence of media at home, antenatal care follow-up, the number of antenatal care follow up, antenatal care follows up at governmental health institutions, and giving birth at the governmental health institution. The availability and accessibility of maternal care services and their functionality in providing maternal care services improve the supplementation.