Evaluation of efficacy and compliance of ferrous sulfate of national nutritional anemia prophylaxis and control programme in comparison with other iron preparations in antenatal females

Dr Neena Gupta; Dr Uruj Jahan; Dr Ankita Bais

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2019

Evaluation of efficacy and compliance of ferrous sulfate of national nutritional anemia prophylaxis and control programme in comparison with other iron preparations in antenatal females

Dr Neena Gupta, Dr Uruj Jahan, Dr Ankita Bais

Abstract :

Aim: to compare efficacy and compliance of ferrous sulfate of national anemia prophylaxis programme with other oral iron preparations in antenatal female Introduction: Anemia is defined as decreased hemoglobin level or circulating RBCs resulting in decreased iron carrying capacity of blood. It is the most common hematological disorder during pregnancy. According to Ministry of health and family welfare, 100 mg of elemental iron and 500 mcg of folic acid recommended for 100 days in pregnancy. National nutrition anemia prophylaxis programme was launched in 1970 to prevent nutritional anemia in mother and children. Even after 48 years, anemia is still a major concern for maternal mortality and morbidity in India. Side effects of oral iron therapy are a common problem in treatment of patients with oral iron preparations resulting in poor adherence to the therapy. Keeping all these facts in view, the current study was designed to compare ferrous sulphate with other iron preparations in terms of efficacy and compliance. Ferrous sulfate tablets provided under national nutritional anemia prophylaxis programme has very poor compliance despite of free government supply due to number of undesirable effects. This study gives us insight into changing oral iron preparation to a form with more efficacy and better patient compliance. Method: Total 300 patients were included in this study and were randomly allocated into 7 groups: group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, according to the medication (oral iron preparation) given. Group 1 is ferrous sulphate given under National Programme, group 2 is ferrous sulphate–sustained release, group 3 is ferrous fumarate, group 4 is ferrous ascorbate, group 5 is colloidal iron, group 6 is ferric ammonium citrate suspension and group 7 is ferrous ascorbate suspension. Baseline hematological parameters were recorded and patients called up of follow up on day 30, day 60 and day 90. Compliance was ensured. Results: elemental iron content of ferrous sulfate is comparable to that of other iron preparations, but por efficacy in improving hematological parameters due to poor compliance despite of free hospital supply owing to higher no.of side ffects whereas ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron provide better alternative