Factors Influencing Adherence to Folic Acid and Ferrous Sulphate Nutritional Intake among Pregnant Teenagers in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2017.531.537Keywords:
Adherence, ferrous sulphate, folic acid, food supplements, maternal nutrition, pregnant teenagers, South AfricaAbstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing folic acid/ferrous sulphate nutritional intake among pregnant teenagers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), Eastern Cape in South Africa. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 300 purposively selected pregnant teenagers aged between 13-19 years, who were attending antennal clinic in BCMM. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The majority (97.0%) of the participants obtained their supplements from the clinic; took other medications (87.2%); regularly used nutritional supplements (71.7%); agreed that folic acid and ferrous sulphate were important for pregnancy outcomes (96%); should be taken before pregnancy and after birth (68.2%) and nurses had explained the possible pregnancy complications (71.7%). About 84.1% agreed that the medication containers were clearly labelled; and nurses had explained the side effects of folic acid/ferrous folate (60.7%) and the likely action in case of side effects occurred (56%). The majority of the participants also agreed that folic acid and ferrous sulphate are good for the unborn baby (88%) and are harmless to the unborn baby (75.3%). The majority (49.2%) of the participants did not consume dark leafy vegetables, cabbage (35.0%), liver (47.1%), beef/lamb (42.0%), fish (43.3%) and beans/legumes (36.4%). Participants indicated that folic acid and ferrous sulphate made them feel nauseous, inclined to vomit and also caused stomach pain. Conclusion: The majority of pregnant teenagers received their nutritional supplements from the health facilities over the counter. The study indicated that nausea, vomiting, forgetting to take the supplements due to busy schedules, non-availability of folic acid and ferrous sulphate in health facilities were the major reasons influencing the intake of folic acid and ferrous sulphate by pregnant teenagers. Also, there is low consumption of iron and folate rich foods by pregnant teenagers in this setting. Health practitioners including doctors, nurses and community health care workers needed to improve health education by including information on nutritional supplements and the importance and use of folic acid and ferrous sulphate during pregnancy.
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