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

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women are vulnerable to iron deficiency due to the fact that more iron is needed primarily to supply the growing fetus and placenta and to increase the maternal red cell mass. Little is known on the factors associated with uptake of iron supplement during pregnancy.Methods: The study used data from the 2015 to 2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey. A total of 6,924 women of active reproductive age from 15 to 49 were included in the analysis. Both univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with uptake of iron supplement during pregnancy.Results: Majority of the interviewed women 5,648 (81.6%) always took iron supplement during pregnancy, while a total of 1,276 (18.4%) women never took iron supplement during pregnancy. After controlling for confounders, the predictors for uptake of iron supplement during pregnancy were early antenatal booking (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.603 at 95% CI = 1.362–1.887, p < 0.001); rural residence (AOR = 0.711 at 95% CI = 0.159–0.526, p = 0.007); wealth index [rich (AOR = 1.188 at 95% CI = 0.986–1.432, p = 0.07)]—poor was the reference population; level of education [primary education (AOR = 1.187 at 95% CI = 1.013–1.391, p = 0.034)]—no formal education was the reference population; parity [para 2 to 4 (AOR = 0.807 at 95% CI = 0.668–0.974, p = 0.026), para 5 and above (AOR = 0.75 at 95% CI = 0.592–0.95, p = 0.017)], para 1 was the reference population; zones [mainland rural (AOR = 0.593 at 95% CI = 0.389–0.905, p = 0.015) and Unguja Island AOR = 0.63 at 95% CI = 0.431–0.92, p = 0.017]—mainland urban was the reference population; and current working status [working (AOR = 0.807 at 95% CI = 0.687–0.949, p = 0.009)].Conclusion: The study revealed that, despite free access to iron supplement during pregnancy, there are women who fail to access the supplement at least once throughout the pregnancy. The likelihood to fail to access iron supplement during pregnancy was common among pregnant women who initiated antenatal visits late, were from poor families, had no formal education, reside in rural settings, had high parity, were from mainland rural, and were in working status. Interventional studies are recommended in order to come up with effective strategies to increase the uptake of iron supplement during pregnancy.

Time to non-adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women in Hosanna town, South Ethiopia: Cox-proportional hazard model

“…This is in line with findings from studies [3,19] in which educational status is associated with IFAS compliance. Additionally, this is in line with a study done in Tanzania [30], that indicated educated women are more likely than their counterparts to be knowledgeable and take advantage of utilizing the supplementation during pregnancy.…”

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

“…The observed anaemia prevalence rate (40.9%) among study respondents in the study area despite uptake of iron-folic acid (71.5%) might be due to poor adherence, an aspect this study did not assess. Poor adherence to iron supplements may be as a result of inadequate supply of iron tablets, poor utilisation of prenatal health-care services, gastrointestinal discomfort accompanied with the drug, inability to purchase the tablet, forgetfulness, poor counselling by health care providers regarding the usefulness of the tablet as well as maternal knowledge and beliefs surrounding the tablet (42)(43)(44). Besides, this study further showed that combine uptake of iron-folic acid with a diet rich in haem iron or vitamin A food groups is more efficient in reducing the burden of anaemia than iron-folic acid taken alone.…”

Dietary Supplement Use and Associated Factors Among Adults Working in Urban Settings in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Tanzania, studies have been done primarily on using micronutrient supplementation to prevent nutrition deficiencies among pregnant women and school children. 22 - 24 However, there is limited information with regard to dietary supplements and the factors associated with use among adult populations in Tanzania despite their increased popularity, particularly in urban settings, where inappropriate or unsupervised use can lead to adverse reactions or worse. 25…”

“…[18][19][20][21] In Tanzania, studies have been done primarily on using micronutrient supplementation to prevent nutrition deficiencies among pregnant women and school children. [22][23][24] However, there is limited information with regard to dietary supplements and the factors associated with use among adult populations in Tanzania despite their increased popularity, particularly in urban settings, where inappropriate or unsupervised use can lead to adverse reactions or worse. 25 Hence, this study aimed to assess the extent of dietary supplement use among the working population within urban settings and the factors associated with this consumption because limited studies have researched this population.…”