Compliance to Intake of Prenatal Supplements among Rural Pregnant Women - an Observational Study in Two Sub-districts in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken to determine the compliance to intake of food and micronutrient supplements among 48 rural pregnant women in two sub-districts under two Divisions of Bangladesh. All pregnant women were observed from 8am to 2pm everyday for three consecutive days. Results shows that only 27.1% of the pregnant women consumed the full packet of food supplements, 43.1% shared it with other members of their family and 29.2% did not go to collect the supplement. A total of 93.8 % women did not consume the micronutrients, iron or folate supplements during the time of observation. Necessary steps should be taken to improve delivery strategies of supplements among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh, which should include training of the service providers and health education to the pregnant women.