Effect of individual nutrition education on perceptions of nutritional iron supplementation, adherence to iron-folic acid intake and Hb levels among a cohort of anemic South Indian pregnant women

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of individual nutrition education on nutritional knowledge, attitude, practices, adherence to iron-folic acid intake, and hemoglobin levels among anemic South Indian pregnant women. Methods This intervention study was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 in a secondary care level women and child hospital at Puducherry, India. The intervention group (n = 59) and comparison group (n = 58) included mild to moderately anemic pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (Mild anemia - Hb levels between 10.0 and 10.9 g/dL, Moderate anemia - Hb levels between 7.0 and 9.9 g/dL). Individual nutrition education intervention and SMS alerts for four weeks were given to the pregnant women. Baseline data and hemoglobin levels were measured at the time of enrollment. Maternal adherence to iron-folic acid tablets (IFA) was assessed using a five-item Medical Adherence Rating Scale (MARS-5). End line data were collected after 4 weeks of nutrition education intervention. Results At the end of the individual nutrition education intervention, there was a significant improvement in the hemoglobin level in the intervention group compared to the comparison group (p < .02). The change in the knowledge, attitude and practice scores regarding nutritional management of anemia and maternal adherence to iron-folic acid intake were significantly high in the intervention group over the comparison group (p < .001). Conclusion Individual nutrition education was significantly associated with improved nutritional knowledge, attitude, practice, adherence to IFA intake and hemoglobin levels in anemic pregnant women.