Paper Title
EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION AND IRON- FOLIC ACID ADHERANCE UPON HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL IN ANEMIC PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract
Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy, particularly iron deficiency anemia (IDA), is a major health issue globally, with high prevalence in India. IDA contributes to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. This study explores the impact of nutrition education and adherence to Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) levels in anemic pregnant women. Aim and Objective: To assess the effect of nutrition education and IFA adherence on Hb levels in pregnant women with mild to moderate anemia. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 70 pregnant women at Varthur PHC, Karnataka. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (nutrition education + standard care) and a control group (standard care only). Intervention: The intervention group received nutrition education leaflets, weekly phone calls, and daily message alerts to reinforce IFA adherence. The control group received routine care with daily IFA supplementation. Results: After four weeks, the intervention group showed a significant increase in Hb levels (mean increase of 1.31 g/dL, p<0.05), while the control group showed no significant change (mean increase of 0.13 g/dL, p=0.535). Conclusion: Nutrition education combined with IFA adherence significantly improved Hb levels in anemic pregnant women, highlighting the effectiveness of such interventions in managing pregnancy-related anemia. Keywords - Anemia, Pregnancy, Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation, Hemoglobin Levels, Nutrition Education, Adherence, Quasi-experimental Study, Maternal Health, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Public Health Intervention