Overview of compliance to taking iron-folic acid supplementation at primary healthcare centre during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: One of the causes of anaemia in pregnant women is the insufficient intake of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the mobility of people, including pregnant women who were receiving IFA supplementation. Objective: To assess pregnant women’s compliance in taking IFA supplementation tablets at the primary healthcare centre in the North Region of Kediri City during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was observational with a cross-sectional approach that utilised secondary data from the register of pregnant women and the list of IFA supplementation distribution in the North Region of Kediri City primary healthcare centre from January to December 2021. Results: There were 767 visits made by pregnant women throughout 2021, with data collected from 366 pregnant women. Of these, 28% (101 people) of pregnant women took more than 90 tablets of IFA supplementation. In comparison, pregnant women had experienced anaemia during pregnancy were 11% (41 people). Pregnant women who experienced chronic energy deficiency 5% (19 people) are indicated by an upper arm circumference of less than 23.5cm. Conclusion: The compliance of pregnant women who took IFA supplementation tablets at primary healthcare centres was relatively low, so that it could cause anaemia.