Adherence to iron prophylactic therapy during pregnancy in an urban regional hospital in South Africa

  • P Z Mkhize University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • T Naicker University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • O A Onyangunga University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • J Moodley University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: adherence, anaemia, iron deficiency, pregnancy supplements, reticulocyte

Abstract

Background: Iron and folic acid supplementation plays a major role in the prevention and control of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Therefore, this study assesses adherence to prophylactic iron supplementation during the antenatal period in South Africa.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in a regional hospital from January to December 2016. HIV-uninfected (n = 100) and HIV-infected (n = 100)] women were enrolled and subdivided into three groups: (a) ≤ 34 weeks (n = 33), (b) 34–36 weeks (n = 34) and (c) ≥ 37 weeks (n = 33) gestational age respectively. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were coded and statistically analysed using SPSS software. Pill count and self-reported data from women (n = 24) at ≤ 34 weeks and 34–36 weeks reflected < 50% adherence and 46% non-adherence, being higher in the HIV-infected women (75%). Nausea was the commonest side effect across all trimesters (79. 2%). Adherence (27.8%) and non-adherence (72.1%) to iron, folic acid and calcium supplementation were found in 88% of women.

Conclusion: This study found that adherence to micronutrient supplementation is low in pregnancy, albeit higher in HIV-infected women receiving antenatal care at a regional hospital in Durban, South Africa.

The full article is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/20786190.2019.1654705

Author Biographies

P Z Mkhize, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Women’s Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of KwaZulu-Natal

T Naicker, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Optics and Imaging Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

O A Onyangunga, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Optics and Imaging Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

J Moodley, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Women’s Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Published
2019-10-28
Issue
Vol 61 No 5: September/October 2019
Section
Research Articles
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