Analysis of Determinants of Pregnant Women's Compliance in Consuming Iron Supplement Tablets and Its Association with Pregnancy Anemia

Anemia Pregnant Women Behavior Iron tablet Maternal Health

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30 June 2025
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Background: The distribution of iron tablets for women in pregnancy is the government's effort to provide the iron needs during pregnancy. The level of compliance among pregnant women in taking iron supplement tablets is still insufficient. Five out of ten women in pregnancy in Indonesia experience pregnancy anemia.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze five factors that influence the compliance behavior of women in pregnancy in consuming iron tablets for pregnant women, namely intention to act (Behavior intention), social support (Social-support), accessibility of information (Accessibility of information), personal autonomy (Personal Autonomy), and the situation that allows action (Action Situation).

Methods: The study was conducted using a mixed-method design (quantitative and qualitative). The quantitative study was conducted through a questionnaire survey and analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Test, while the qualitative study was conducted through focus group discussion (FGD) with midwives and in-depth interviews with women in pregnancy and midwives. The sample consisted of 31 women in pregnancy in the working area of the Kenjeran Health Center, Surabaya. The data collection method used was purposive sampling. The independent variable in this study was the compliance behavior of women in pregnancy in consuming iron tablets, while the dependent variables were based on Snehandu B. Karr's theory, which includes behavior intention, social support, accessibility of information, personal autonomy, and action situation.

Results: The quantitative results show that the variable accessibility of information has a significant relationship (p value=0.0376) and a positive effect (p value=0.0292 and OR=1.9630) on the compliance behavior of women in pregnancy in consuming iron tablets for pregnant women.

Conclusion: There is a need to increase the accessibility of information from health cadres to pregnant women.