Determinants of compliance with iron supplementation among pregnant women in Senegal.
BACKGROUND
Community iron supplementation programmes for pregnant women have lacked effectiveness, partly because of low compliance.


OBJECTIVE
To determine factors that influence compliance among pregnant women in Senegal.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-one pregnant women, recruited from six health centres in Dakar during their first prenatal visit, were randomly assigned to receive either a prescription to purchase iron/folic acid tablets (control, n = 112) to be taken daily, according to official policy, or to receive free tablets (treatment, n = 109). Compliance was assessed 20 weeks after enrollment through interviews and pill count. Women with low or high compliance (<70% or >or=70%) were asked to explain what influenced their adherence to supplementation.


RESULTS
Overall compliance was 69%; it was significantly higher in the treatment than in the control group (86% vs. 48%; P < 0.0001). Women with high compliance (58%) were motivated by: (1) the perception of improved health upon taking the tablets (treatment = 24%, control = 10%); (2) the insistence by midwives that they take the tablets; and (3) the mention that the tablets would improve health. Women with low compliance (42%) reported: (1) the experience of side-effects that they associated with the tablets (treatment = 13%, control = 14%); (2) misunderstanding that they needed to continue taking the tablets throughout pregnancy (treatment = 0%, control = 18%); and (3) forgetfulness.


CONCLUSIONS
Compliance with iron/folic acid supplementation in Senegal can be increased by providing women with clear instructions about tablet intake and educating them on the health benefits of the tablets.
Seck
Binetou C
BC
University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 0112 Skinner Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA. sousso@aol.com
Jackson
Robert T
RT
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012675:Senegal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D005492:Folic Acid