title: Routine Iron Supplementation and Anaemia by Third Trimester in a Nigerian Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Unfortunately, in developing countries its prevalence has continued to rise. To improve the situation, iron supplement is routinely prescribed during pregnancy. We therefore examine the impact of the intervention as being currently practised in our clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 255 prenatal clinic attendees who had more than 8 weeks of prescribed iron supplements were sampled. Data was obtained on their socio-demographic features, haemoglobin concentration at booking, compliance with iron supplements and third trimester haemoglobin value.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observed iron supplementation compliance rate was 184(72.2%). There was a significant drop in mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration between the two time points (booking Hb: 32.56±2.99; third trimester Hb: 31.67±3.01; mean diff: 0.89±3.04; t = 4.673; 95% CI= 0.52-1.27; p= <0.001). Anaemia increased from 132(51.8%) to 150(58.8%) by the third trimester. Increase in anaemia occurred in both iron-compliant and non-compliant groups. Non-compliance however had higher odds of predicting anaemia by the third trimester (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.03-3.26; p: 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although iron supplementation is still a good intervention in developing countries, it is not sufficient to reduce overall prevalence of anaemia by the third trimester. There is a need to look beyond the approach and reinforce the importance of better feeding practices, food fortification and reduced frequency of pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abiodun I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Adanikin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Jacob O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Awoleke
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Babatunde A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Olofinbiyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Pipeloluwa O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Adanikin
authors.affiliation: Nursing Unit, Prenatal Clinic, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Omobolanle R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Ogundare
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D003906:Developing Countries; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Anaemia; food fortification; iron supplementation; outcome; pregnancy