(PO16-69-22) Pregnant Women’s Experience With Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS): Qualitative Research From Three Districts in Indonesia

The ePoster content is available to NUTRITION 2022 LIVE ONLINE attendees who are logged in.<br><br>If you are registered, log in and then come back here to use this button.

Presenting Author(s)

Abdul Razak Thaha, Professor
– Researcher and educator, ICONS, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Co-Author(s)

VH

Veni Hadju, Professor
– Hasanuddin University
DM

Djunaidi M Dachlan
– ICONS, Universitas Hasanuddin
NJ

Nurhaedar Jafar
– Universitas Hasanuddin, Faculty of Public Health
HH

Healthy Hidayanty
– Universitas Hasanuddin, Faculty of Public Health
AS

Abdul Salam
– Universitas Hasanuddin, Faculty of Public Health
SA

Safrullah Amir
– Universitas Hasanuddin, Faculty of Public Health
NH

Nurzakiah Hasan
– Universitas Hasanuddin, Faculty of Public Health
AN

Akmal Novrian
– ICONS, Universitas Hasanuddin
MH

Maulana Hasan
– The Vitamin Angels Alliance, Inc
QH

Quinn Harvey, MA
– Vitamin Angels, Goleta, California, United States
OS

Otte Santika
– The Vitamin Angels Alliance, Inc
KH

Kristen M. Hurley, PhD, MPH
– Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, SANTA BARBARA, California, United States

Disclosure(s):

Abdul Razak Thaha, Professor: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: The provision of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) to pregnant women is efficacious in improving pregnancy outcomes, safe, cost-effective, and recommended in the context of rigorous research by the World Health Organization. This study examines experiences related to MMS adherence in Indonesia.

Methods: Qualitative methods were used and included focus group discussions (FGD) with 52 pregnant women who received MMS. Pregnant women were selected through purposive sampling in six health centers across 3 districts within two provinces. Midwives coordinators from each health center were also interviewed as key informants using semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs). High MMS adherence was defined as the number of MMS consumed compared to the number of MMS received. Data was analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis.

Results: MMS was distributed in health centers by midwives as a replacement for iron and folic acid (IFA). When interviewed, the average gestational age of women was six months. Most women (78%) reported high adherence to MMS, but adherence varied by district (range: 62% to 91% adherence). The provision of counseling by midwives, perceived benefit after taking MMS, family support, and acceptability of smell, size and shape of MMS were reason women reported for taking MMS on a regular basis. While most (73%) women reported that they experienced no side effects while taking MMS, the most common reason (61%) reported for not consuming MMS was forgetfulness.

Conclusions: MMS was well accepted by pregnant women as indicated by adequate counseling, high adherence, and perceived health benefit.

Funding Sources: The Vitamin Angels Alliance, Inc.