Use of iron support during the pregnancy in women with new birth and the effect of this support on anemia

This study was conducted to determine the use of iron supplements during pregnancy in women who had just given birth, to calculate the incidence of anemia, and to determine the relationship between the use of iron supplements and anemia. The universe of the descriptive study consisted of women who had just given birth at Şanlıurfa Education and Research Hospital. The sample of the study consisted of 240 women who had just given birth between November 1 and December 1, 2024. Data were collected face-to-face with a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers. In statistical analyses, mean±standard deviation was used for continuous variables, and number and percentage were used for nominal variables. The conformity of continuous variables to normal distribution was determined by examining the Shapiro-Wilk test and normal distribution graphs. For the significance of the difference in terms of continuous variables, t-test in independent groups, one-way Anavo tests, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the relationship between them. A p value below 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. It was calculated that 24.2% of the women were illiterate and 15.4% were under the age of 20. It was observed that 35.0% of the women had given birth four or more times. When the hemoglobin values of the women were examined, it was seen that the rate of women whose hemoglobin value, which is considered anemia during pregnancy, was below 11 gr/dL was 40%. It was determined that 75.4% of the women received iron supplementation treatment in their current pregnancy, and 46.3% started iron supplementation before the 4th month. It was determined that 16.0% of the women experienced side effects of iron supplementation treatment, and 69.0% of the women who experienced side effects stopped iron supplementation. As a result, it was determined that the women were young and had low education, gave birth a lot, had a high prevalence of anemia, and had insufficient, incorrect information and practices regarding the use of iron supplementation. In line with these results, it is recommended that iron deficiency anemia continues to be an important maternal health problem, that necessary precautions be taken, nutrition should be regulated, correct use of iron supplements should be disseminated, and especially the awareness of public health nurses should be increased on this issue. KEYWORDS: Newborn, iron supplementation, Anaemia, Public Health