Identifying bottlenecks in the iron and folic acid supply chain in Bihar, India: a mixed-methods study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Maternal anaemia prevalence in Bihar, India remains high despite government mandated iron supplementation targeting pregnant women. Inadequate supply has been identified as a potential barrier to iron and folic acid (IFA) receipt. Our study objective was to examine the government health system's IFA supply and distribution system and identify bottlenecks contributing to insufficient IFA supply. METHODS:Primary data collection was conducted in November 2011 and July 2012 across 8 districts in Bihar, India. A cross-sectional, observational, mixed methods approach was utilized. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives were surveyed on current IFA supply and practices. In-depth interviews (n = 59) were conducted with health workers at state, district, block, health sub-centre, and village levels. R

SUBMITTER: Wendt AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5898001 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature