Assessing the adherence and acceptability to iron and folic acid compared with multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy: a cluster-randomized noninferiority trial in Cambodia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Cambodian Ministry of Health is exploring transitioning from iron and folic acid (IFA) to multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) during pregnancy and is seeking rigorous evidence to inform this policy change.

Objective

We aimed to assess the adherence and acceptability of MMS compared with IFA supplementation during pregnancy.

Methods

We conducted an open-label cluster-randomized noninferiority trial across 48 health centers in Cambodia. A total of 1546 healthy pregnant individuals (18-45 y) were recruited at their first antenatal care (ANC) visit (<14 weeks of gestation) and randomized to 1 of 3 arms at the health center level: 1) IFA for 90 d (IFA-90, n = 515), the current standard of care; 2) MMS for 180 d via 1 180-tablet bottle (MMS-180, n = 516)

SUBMITTER: Sauer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12308091 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature