The high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Haiti is a severe public health problem, with 54 percent of pregnant women affected. The World Health Organization defines anemia as a hemoglobin concentration of less than 12.0 g/dL at sea level among women of childbearing age, and less than 11.0 g/dL among pregnant women. The primary cause of anemia is iron deficiency, which is often caused by inadequate intake or low absorption of iron, repeated pregnancies, and loss of iron through menstruation.
The Haitian antenatal care (ANC) system provides an outstanding platform for distributing iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets. However, there are several falter points in the distribution and consumption of IFA tablets through ANC in Haiti. Among women who were pregnant in the last five years, had at least one ANC visit, and took at least one IFA tablet, only 12 percent received and took the ideal minimum number of tablets. The most important shortcoming is Falter Point 4, followed by Falter Point 2. Both supply and demand are possible constraints and require further investigation.
The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Haiti is 54 percent, with the majority of cases classified as mild or moderate. Less than one percent of anemia cases in pregnant and breastfeeding women are diagnosed as severe. The prevalence of maternal anemia has risen slightly since 2005, due to increases in cases of mild anemia. The World Health Organization recommends that all pregnant women receive a standard dose of 30-60 mg iron and 400 µg folic acid beginning as soon as possible during gestation.
The Haitian ANC system has a high coverage rate, with 63 percent of women who were pregnant in the last five years reporting at least one ANC visit. However, there are several gaps in the system, including the distribution and consumption of IFA tablets. Among women who received IFA tablets, only 12 percent took the ideal minimum number of tablets. The mean number of tablets taken was 58, with a median of 50. The mean number of tablets received was 206, with a median of 190.
The distribution and consumption of IFA tablets through ANC in Haiti are critical for addressing the high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women. The Haitian ANC system provides an outstanding platform for delivering IFA tablets, but there are several falter points that need to be addressed. Further investigation is needed to identify the supply and demand constraints that are contributing to the low consumption of IFA tablets.