ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY: IMPROVING ADHERENCE WITH INTERVENTIONS

A prospective cross-sectional study conducted to analyze and improve adherence pattern towards oral iron supplements in pregnancy with interventions. A potential group study for the duration of 6 months was carried in a tertiary care teaching hospital. 100 pregnant subjects were randomly assigned in to control and intervention group. Control group received prescription to purchase iron supplements while intervention group was dispensed with free oral iron supplements at each OPD visit. Both the groups were subjected to counseling at each visit. Hemoglobin level adherence was assessed using Morisky 8 item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) to monitor progress. The study observed significantly higher prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in low educated section, low economic status and increasing gravidity in both the groups. The mean adherence rate and hemoglobin levels were significantly high in intervention group at fourth visit. Forgetfulness and side effects associated to iron therapy were the most common reasons for non-adherence in both the groups. Free iron supplements along with routine counseling by pharmacist on follow up radically improved the adherence status to the medication thereby improve hemoglobin pregnant women. Lower education, economic status and high gravidity were responsible for higher incidence of anemia in such population.