Self-Management of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation During Pre-Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Postnatal Periods: a Systematic Review

Background: The use of IFA pre pregnancy, during pregnancy, and postnatal has proven to be effective at preventing anemia, but ensuring adherence to supplementation regimen can be difficult. This systematic review analyzed evidence surrounding self-management of IFA supplementation accessed over the counter pre pregnancy, during pregnancy, and postnatal.

Methods: Articles published through November 2020 were accessed via reliable databases, clinical trial registries were hand searched, and experts in the field were contacted. Peer-reviewed studies were also included if they compared the outcomes of self-managed IFA or folic acid supplementation with those initiated by health workers, focusing on maternal, fetal, and newborn health outcomes, user preferences, or cost-effectiveness.

Results: All studies were excluded as they did not meet the criteria of the review; they were not primary research, lacked the outcomes of interest, lacked specificity in supplement type, and/or lacked a comparison group.

Conclusion: This review did not find sufficient evidence distinguishing self-management of folic acid supplements before pregnancy and IFA supplements during pregnancy and postnatally. The review highlights a significant gap in understanding of self-care practices related to dietary supplementation in pregnancy and underscores the need for further research to support the growing interest in self-care interventions, providing individuals with additional choices to enhance their reproductive health and rights.