Abstract

A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF IFA CONSUMPTION AMONG MOTHERS 18-40 YEARS IN PONDICHERRY

R. S Bharatwaj*

ABSTRACT

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem in India and the inadequate coverage of mothers by full course ironfolate ( IFA) consumption in pregnancy is an area of concern. An idea of the range of coverage and factors influencing compliance would help in evaluating the program. Methods: Cross sectional community based study by house to house survey, using a questionnaire administered by trained interviewers was done in randomly allocated streets of 4 different areas of Pondicherry. Results: 100% of mothers (218) had received IFA tablets. Side effects of vomiting and bad taste were the main reasons for non-compliance. An awareness of the merits of consumption seemed to have a positive impact on the consumption pattern. Health worker visits were there only in 50.4 % of the mothers. Conclusion: More efforts to enhance health worker visits and better education of mothers about the merits of IFA consumption may help improve the compliance of IFA consumption.

Keywords: IFA, Mothers, South India.