Misdistributions of Iron-Folic Acid (IFA): a Major deterrent to combat Anemia in Pregnant Women

INTRODUCTION: As per WHO 2012 guidelines a pregnant women should receive IFA as soon as possible during gestation enabling pregnant women to consume a total of 180 tablets (though many countries aim for 90 tablets). Since, Antenatal care is an effective platform for IFA distribution and hence this study was conducted in this area covering the pregnant women AIMS and OBJECTIVES:1. To divide pregnant women into categories based on their haemoglobin status. 2. To find out the final distribution of IFA to pregnant women who got registered within last 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at RHTC under the Department of Community Medicine of Govt. Medical College, Chandigarh RESULTS: At Rural Health Training Center within a period of 02 years a total of 1651 pregnant women made use of antenatal services which included use of IFA tablets from second trimester onwards. Out of this 302(29.7%) were not given any iron tablets and for those744(70.3%) who received IFA, it’s distribution varied widely from 30 tablets in case of 25.5% to 90 tablets in case of 19.9% women. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:Inadequate, excess or unwanted distribution, happening even in Chandigarh raises the high presumption of its happening in other areas too. Our efforts must be channelised more in ensuring of getting IFA issued versus getting these consumed by the pregnant women.