The effect of an educational intervention on increase of compliance with iron supplementation and reduce iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women

Aim: Incomplete compliance with iron supplementation is one of the main caused of iron deficiency in pregnant women.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of educational intervention on increase compliance with iron supplementation program and decrease iron deficiency anemia based on motivation protection theory. Materials and Methods: In this controlled before-after intervention 100 pregnant women (16 to – 20th week of gestation) were allocated into two groups. Educational program consisted of written messages and images, self-monitoring and one phone contact. The tailored messages were sent via social media. The primary outcome included the level of Hemoglobin and ferritin as well as four aspects of compliance with iron supplementation. Also constructs of motivation- protection theory were considered as the second outcomes. Measures were conducted using the blood test and a questionnaire.   Results: The results showed that intervention had a significant effect on taking vitamin C and iron supplementation together (P < 0.001). Despite improves in three other behaviors, there were no significant differences between the two groups.  There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of Ferritin level. Conclusion: It seems that emphasizing on the different aspects of compliance with iron supplementation may be effective in reducing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.