STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FERROUS SULPHATE VS FERROUS ASCORBATE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ANAEMIA IN PREGNANCY AT SELECTED DISTRICTS OF MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Introduction High priority districts (the bottom 25% of the districts) were identied based on composite health index to bring about sharper improvements in health outcomes Ferrous ascorbate supplementation is being carried out in Raisen district, a HPD, when compared to the nearby district Bhopal where Ferrous sulphate is still the preferred modality for prophylaxis and management of anaemia in pregnancy. Studies showing the efcacy of Ferrous ascorbate over ferrous sulphate in pharmacological settings are available in plenty, but the data regarding real time effectiveness is not sufciently available in this part of the country. Objectives To study the sociodemographic factors associated with anaemia in pregnant women. To study the effectiveness of Ferrous sulphate vs Ferrous ascorbate in the management of anaemia in pregnancy. Methods It was a prospective observational study, including 50 pregnant females in each treatment group with gestational week of 12-14 getting themselves registered at the anganwadis (Selected by random selection without replacement method) of urban and rural eld practice area of GMC Bhopal. They were followed up after 1 and 3 months of the initial visit to evaluate their compliance and changes in haemoglobin level. Results The mean change in haemoglobin level among FS group after three visits was found to be 0.30±0.23 gm/dl, while it was 0.54±0.32 gm/dl among FA group. The mean change in haemoglobin level was more in compliant when compared to non-compliant. And the mean change in haemoglobin level in compliant females of FA treatment group was 0.52±0.30 gm/dl, and was higher than that of FS group, i.e. 0.37±0.22 gm/dl. The difference observed was statistically signicant. Conclusion Ferrous ascorbate was found better and effective in improving haemoglobin status, with better compliance and less adverse drug reactions.