IFA compliance and associated factors among postpartum mothers: a cross-sectional analytical study at public health facilities in Bharatpur metropolitan city, Chitwan Nepal.

OBJECTIVES

Iron deficiency anaemia and inadequate compliance with iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation among pregnant and postpartum women pose substantial public health challenges in Nepal. Hence, this study aimed to determine IFA compliance and identify associated factors among postpartum mothers in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal.

DESIGN

An analytical cross-sectional design was employed.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 286 postpartum mothers were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of Shree Medical and Technical College, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews to collect data and ensure an in-depth understanding of the participants' responses.

RESULTS

Among the 286 participants, 53.5% demonstrated compliance with the IFAs. Multivariable logistic regression showed that compliance was significantly and positively linked to the level of education ((AOR)=3.629; 95% CI: (1.438 to 9.153)) and knowledge regarding IFAs (AOR=3.751; 95% CI: (2.145 to 6.562)). The reasons for non-compliance included the consumption of too many tablets, lack of information provided by healthcare workers, experiencing side effects and forgetting to take the tablets.

CONCLUSIONS

IFA compliance was observed in more than half of the participants. Compliance was influenced by participants' education and knowledge. The authors hold a strong conviction that relevant authorities can provide the necessary education in specific areas of concern to enhance the design and improvement of IFA programme strategies.