Vol. 9, Issue 11, Part B (2023)

Background: There is a growing interest in the area of maternal and child health that is advocating for a focus on the periconceptional period to improve iron and folate status among childbearing aged women before pregnancy. An association between periconceptional folate supplementation and reduction in neural tube defects (NTDs) is already well-established (2021). For decades, public health programs have been promoting iron supplementation during pregnancy. Attention is now being given as to whether including periconceptional iron supplementation may complement iron supplementation during pregnancy to improve maternal and infant outcomes1. In 2007, the National Strategy for Anemia Prevention and Control in Bangladesh included adolescents and newly married women as important target groups for iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation programs. This study is aimed at providing evidence –based research to inform decision making around periconception IFA programme in Bangladesh.

Methodology: A quantitative research approach and descriptive research design was adopted to conduct study. The non- probability purposive sampling techniques was used to select 100 antenatal mothers of selected community area of district Kangra H.P. A self-structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the level of knowledge of Antenatal mothers regarding use of iron and folic acid during pregnancy. Analysis of collected data was done according to the objectives of the study and data analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result: The study shows that, out of 100 antenatal mothers, about 46% were in the age group of 26--30 years, 45% antenatal mother were having secondary education, 88% antenatal mothers were residing in rural area, 82% antenatal mother were housewife, 43% antenatal mothers were having one baby, 51% antenatal mothers were having monthly family income of 10,000-20,000, 55% antenatal mother were vegetarian. The mean score was 14.41, the median score was 14, standard deviation was 2.80 and minimum and maximum score was 21 and 7. Range of knowledge score was 14 and mean percentage was 48.03%. Study finding revealed that out of all the selected sociodemographic variables, age and family income were associated with level of knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding use of iron and folic acid during pregnancy.

Conclusion: Antenatal mothers have less knowledge regarding the use of iron and folic acid.