Adherence to iron supplement intake during pregnancy and associated factors in Ethiopia: Further analysis of a national population‐based study

Abstract

Iron deficiency during pregnancy is a risk factor for anemia, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. Poor adherence to iron supplement intake remains a problem in many countries including Ethiopia. This analysis aimed at determining the proportion of adherence to iron supplement intake and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. We used the data from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS), which is a cross‐sectional and nationally representative survey. A weighted sample of 3927 pregnant women was included in the study. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with adherence to iron supplement intake. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p‐value <.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Our analysis revealed that out of 2356 (60.0%) pregnant women who took iron supplements during their most recent pregnancy, only 417 (17.7%; 95% CI: 0.162–0.193) adhered to the WHO‐recommended iron intake for 90 days or more. The subnational regions, level of education, literacy, the timing of first antenatal care booking, and past place of delivery were significantly associated with iron supplement intake. Interventions to enhance the uptake of iron supplementation better focus on improving women's education and literacy, early initiation and frequency of ANC visits, and institutional delivery. Raising community awareness through educating pregnant women is also recommended to improve adherence to iron supplement intake.