Determinants of Iron Consumption among Pregnant Women in Southern Senegal

The anemia by iron deficiency is a public health problem. To palliate the multiple maternal and fetal consequences, the WHO recommends the iron supplementation during at least 90 days to all pregnant women. The goal of our study is to study the determinants of this consumption in the Kolda area (Senegal). It’s the analytical cross-sectional study referred. We use the survey by clusters with 2 levels and it’s about all of the women who gave birth in Kolda area between February 2013 and January 2014. The dependent variable was iron consumption during at least 90 days and the independents variables were grouped on personal factors, knowledge and practices. Data were collected during a personal interview face to face. We used logistic regression to identify the determinants of this consumption. The average age of women surveyed in 1442 was 25.5 years. They had knowledge of iron consumption (93%) and the number of antennal consultation (ANC) (66%). The prevalence of pregnant women who consumed iron at least for 90 days was 51%. The factors associated with consumption were schooling (ORa = 2.49 [1.54 - 4.03]), health awareness (ORa = 1.61 [1.25 to 2.07]), knowledge about number of ANC (ORa = 1.54 [1.18 - 2.00]), councils on the benefits of iron (ORa = 2.66 [1.77 - 4.00]), the household wealth index (ORa = 1.83 [1.04 to 3.19]), number of ANC (ORa = 2.05 [1.56 - 2.69]), age pregnancy on the first ANC (ORa = 2 [1.47 - 2.7]) and iron prescription (ORa = 1.64 [1.25 - 2.16]). The prevalence of iron consumption during at least 90 days is low in Kolda area (51%); however, its determinants are identified; we can solve the problem by increasing communicate more about iron supplementation and antenatal consultation.