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Original Article
Online Published: 15 Jun 2026
 


Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey

Ahmed Ragab, Wesam Abduljabbar, Juri Al-ghamdi, Ragad Khusifan, Hadeel Alossaimi, Hend Abdrabuh.


Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the adherence to folic acid and iron (FAI) supplements among pregnant females and analyze the reasons for poor compliance.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey involved 206 pregnant women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Demographic data were collected, and the associations between these characteristics and the barrier to compliance were examined.
Results:
The mean age of all participants was 30 ± 1.1 years, most of whom were aged between 21 and 36 years. The majority had at least a secondary education (41.7%), and many held university or postgraduate degrees (30.1%). About two-thirds were employed, and just over half reported a moderate monthly income. A small number had medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or hypothyroidism. Most participants were multigravida and interviewed during the second trimester. Almost all women reported taking folic acid and/or iron supplements, mainly prescribed by physicians. Many started supplementations in the first trimester (59.2%), though a considerable number began later (41.8%). While overall uptake was high, more than a quarter (n=56) reported challenges with consistent use. Common barriers included side effects (especially from iron), advice from others to stop, forgetfulness, and pill fatigue (p<0.05). Some women were unsure about the benefits or worried about possible harm to the fetus.
Conclusion:
Older women who had a higher level of education, were not employed, or had existing medical conditions showed significantly better adherence to supplementation. On the other hand, monthly income and number of previous pregnancies and deliveries did not show a significant relationship with compliance.

Key words: Folic acid, iron supplements, adherence, pregnancy, Saudi Arabia


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Ragab A, Abduljabbar W, Al-ghamdi J, Khusifan R, Alossaimi H, Abdrabuh H. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. IJMDC. Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684

Web Style

Ragab A, Abduljabbar W, Al-ghamdi J, Khusifan R, Alossaimi H, Abdrabuh H. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=312539 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Ragab A, Abduljabbar W, Al-ghamdi J, Khusifan R, Alossaimi H, Abdrabuh H. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. IJMDC. Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Ragab A, Abduljabbar W, Al-ghamdi J, Khusifan R, Alossaimi H, Abdrabuh H. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. IJMDC, [cited June 27, 2026]; Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


Harvard Style

Ragab, A., Abduljabbar, . W., Al-ghamdi, . J., Khusifan, . R., Alossaimi, . H. & Abdrabuh, . H. (2026) Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. IJMDC, Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


Turabian Style

Ragab, Ahmed, Wesam Abduljabbar, Juri Al-ghamdi, Ragad Khusifan, Hadeel Alossaimi, and Hend Abdrabuh. 2026. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


Chicago Style

Ragab, Ahmed, Wesam Abduljabbar, Juri Al-ghamdi, Ragad Khusifan, Hadeel Alossaimi, and Hend Abdrabuh. "Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Ragab, Ahmed, Wesam Abduljabbar, Juri Al-ghamdi, Ragad Khusifan, Hadeel Alossaimi, and Hend Abdrabuh. "Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. Web. 27 Jun 2026 doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Ragab, A., Abduljabbar, . W., Al-ghamdi, . J., Khusifan, . R., Alossaimi, . H. & Abdrabuh, . H. (2026) Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant Saudi women at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 15 Jun, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1772548684




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