Meresa Berwo Mengesha*, Hagos Degefa Hidru, Fissaha Tekulu Welay and Tsige Shushay Gebremedhin Pages 1-9 (9)
Methods: An electronic database search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and African Journals Online. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistical Assessment and Review Instrument was used for quality appraisal of the included studies. The extracted data were entered into Microsoft™ Excel sheet and exported to R-software version 3.6.1 for analysis. Maternal education on adherence of iron-folic acid supplementation was analyzed and subgroup analyses of difference between regions and time of study period were conducted.
Results: The online search yielded a total of 936 articles, and based on inclusion/exclusion criteria nine were included in this study with a total of 3263 participants. Applying the random effect model, the analysis revealed that the odds of prenatal adherence of iron-folic acid supplementation were 2.89 times higher in mothers with secondary school education and above as compared to those who had not received formal education.
Conclusions: This review identified that increased maternal education leads to improved adherence of iron-folic acid supplementation amongst women across Ethiopia. This information may inform efforts of government and non-government organizations to encourage maternal education in order to sustained adherence of iron-folic acid supplementation. Further research is required in this critical area at regional, national, and global levels.
Maternal education, prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation, iron-folic acid adherence
Adigrat University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Adigrat, Tigray,, Adigrat University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Adigrat, Tigray,, Adigrat University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Adigrat, Tigray,, Adigrat University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Adigrat, Tigray