The current study entails an ethnographic investigation conducted in a village situated in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district of Hyderabad, Telangana. The primary objective is to examine the factors contributing to non-compliance with iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets among participants who received them through the Anemia Mukth Bharath program—a government initiative aimed at reducing anemia prevalence, with a particular focus on women of reproductive age and adolescent girls. Effective adherence to IFA medication is crucial for mitigating anemia by increasing hemoglobin levels. However, despite the tablets being provided free of charge, compliance rates have been consistently poor. This non-compliance is influenced by various social, cultural, and economic factors.
The study adopts an inductive approach, employing a comprehensive anthropological framework to comprehensively understand the reasons behind the low adherence to IFA among the program recipients. Low compliance is defined as the consumption of less than 50% of the IFA tablets provided. The research methodology involves conducting 50 semi-structured interviews with individuals who received IFA tablets as part of the government program. Additionally, the study incorporates focus group discussions, observations, and in-depth interviews to gain insights into compliance from the participants' perspectives.
Compliance with IFA medication is closely intertwined with cultural perceptions of anemia as a disease, incorporating notions of bodily health and blood. Furthermore, the acceptance of treatment and its successful integration into individuals' daily lives are essential considerations. Trust in healthcare providers, acknowledging anemia as a significant health issue, managing potential side effects, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to regular medication intake are all critical factors that must be examined to fully grasp the reasons for the observed low compliance with IFA.
