Factors associated with adherence to iron supplementation treatment in children at a health center

Quispe Muñico M.; Gomez Rutti Y.Y.; Taboada García M.A.; Acevedo Rique I.M.; Touriz Bonifaz M.A.; Apaza Mendoza J.P.; Puig-Lagunes Á.A.; Ramirez Rodriguez R. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2026) · DOI: 10.12873/ncdh-2026-72

Resumen

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is a priority public health problem in early childhood. Despite the implementation of a universal iron sulfate supplementation program, therapeutic adherence has not demonstrated an impact on the prevention strategy. Objective: Identify factors associated with adherence to iron supplementation treatment in children aged 6 months to 3 years attending a Health Center. Methods: This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional analytical study included a sample of 120 mothers of children aged 6 months to 3 years. Data was collected using two questionnaires: one on factors associated with iron supplementation and the other on treatment adherence. The questionnaires were adapted, validated, and administered by registered dietitians. Both questionnaires demonstrated excellent content validity (Aiken’s V = 0.94 and 0.95) and acceptable reliability (KR-20 = 0.71 and 0.74). Two binary logistic regression models (α = 0.05) were applied. The dependent variable was treatment adherence, coded as 1 (adherent) and 0 (non-adherent). Predictor variables included maternal and child factors, dietary intake, maternal perception, and adherence to medical instructions. A significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. Results: Adherence was significantly associated with regular attendance at the health center (OR = 8.84; p < 0.001), lack of supplement (OR = 0.04; p = 0.022), child refusal (OR = 0.06; p = 0.029), administration with dairy or soups (OR = 0.06; p = 0.039), prolonged waiting time (OR = 0.23; p = 0.031), administration with juice (OR = 0.27; p = 0.039) and secondary education level (OR = 0.18; p = 0.031). Conclusion: Adherence to the supplement is primarily determined by factors related to access to the service and inadequate administration practices. Therefore, ensuring the availability of the supplement, reducing barriers to care, and strengthening education on its correct administration are key to improving adherence.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle