A survey on women’s awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period and its associated factors in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess pregnant women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period and associated factors. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted on 636 pregnant women in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia. Women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was measured using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Descriptive, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. Results: Of the total of 623 participants, 6.7% of them had an awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period. Women's husband who had formal education, women who had ≥four ANC visits and women who were at distance of <30 min from the nearest health facility were significant predictors of pregnant women's awareness iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period. Conclusions: Women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was very low. Husband educational status, frequency of ANC visits and distance from health facility were predictors of women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period.