Adherence to IFA is an important issue and has been
difficult to achieve outside of clinical trials [13–22], not
least because of the many operational problems that affect
programmatic delivery. Women may also not like taking
iron tablets because of gastro-intestinal side effects caused
by daily iron [19]. Women who are not averse to iron
tablets often do not consume the recommended amounts,
which must raise the question of whether they are very
concerned about their risk of anemia [13]. Anemia may be
viewed as a non-urgent maternal health problem compared
with other serious incapacitating illnesses with the result
that non-adherence to the recommended regime seems
unimportant [23]. Such lack of concern could also reflect a
limited understanding of anemia and the important role of
iron. Recent recommendations therefore encourage health
providers to improve nutritional counselling [22].
To ensure that the health information provided to
women is effective, some comprehension of how anemia is
viewed in the community is required. As part of a large
randomized controlled trial (RCT) of long-term (up to
18 months) weekly iron supplementation, a qualitative substudy
was conducted to assess rural Burkinabe` women’s
understanding of anemia and its treatment. Focus groups
were conducted to determine whether, in light of their
views on the causes of anemia, women viewed iron supplements
as an appropriate intervention. Such information
was important in terms of the research, as well as for any
future anemia prevention programme requiring long-term
weekly supplements for non-pregnant women.