Cultural and Healthcare Predictors of Adherence to Ferrous Sulfate Supplementation Among Pregnant Women at a Hospital in Lima

Predictores culturales y sanitarios para la adherencia al sulfato ferroso en gestantes de un hospital de Lima

Authors

  • Elizabeth Gonzales-Cruz Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú.
  • Ronald Espíritu Ayala-Mendívil Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9471-7162

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22258/hgh.v10i3.388

Abstract

Objective: To determine the cultural and healthcare predictors of adherence to ferrous sulfate supplementation among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: An observational study with an explanatory scope and a causal correlational design was conducted. The study included 180 pregnant women receiving care at outpatient clinics of Hospital San Juan de Lurigancho between September and November 2024, selected using simple random probability sampling. The dependent variable was adherence to ferrous sulfate supplementation, while the independent variables included cultural and healthcare predictors. Associations between variables were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Significant variables were included in an ordinal logistic regression model to estimate their combined effects, reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Cultural predictors of low adherence to ferrous sulfate supplementation included alcohol and drug use (OR: 8.06; 95% CI: 6.68–9.73; p<0.001), forgetting to take medication (OR: 7.793; 95% CI: 6.45–9.41; p<0.001), and lack of family support (OR: 5.44; 95% CI: 4.79–6.17; p<0.001). Healthcare predictors included previous use of ferrous sulfate (OR: 8.63; 95% CI: 6.16–12.09; p<0.001), discomfort when taking ferrous sulfate (OR: 6.14; 95% CI: 5.21–7.23; p<0.001), and counseling regarding ferrous sulfate supplementation (OR: 5.24; 95% CI: 4.69–5.86; p<0.001). Conclusions: Cultural and healthcare predictors of adherence to ferrous sulfate supplementation among pregnant women included alcohol and drug use, forgetting to take medication, family support for treatment, previous iron supplementation, discomfort when taking ferrous sulfate, and counseling regarding ferrous sulfate supplementation. The implementation of an educational program for pregnant women across all trimesters, providing clear guidance on the appropriate administration of ferrous sulfate, is recommended. Keywords: Medication Adherence; Ferrous Sulfate; Pregnancy; Anemia; Peru (Source: MeSH, NLM).

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Author Biographies

Elizabeth Gonzales-Cruz, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú.

Licenciada en Obstetricia, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú.

Ronald Espíritu Ayala-Mendívil , Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú.

Médico, Doctor en Medicina. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina. Lima, Perú.

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Published

2026-09-15

How to Cite

Gonzales-Cruz, E., & Ayala-Mendívil , R. E. (2026). Cultural and Healthcare Predictors of Adherence to Ferrous Sulfate Supplementation Among Pregnant Women at a Hospital in Lima: Predictores culturales y sanitarios para la adherencia al sulfato ferroso en gestantes de un hospital de Lima. Peruvian Journal of Health Care and Global Health, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.22258/hgh.v10i3.388

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