A random sample 0[328 pregnant women (156 from urban and 172 from rural health centers)
in Assiut were studied to provide an estimate of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Its aim also to
assess care provider and pregnant women compliance for its prevention after the Ministry of Health
has introduced a pregnancy anti-anaemic program. The prevalence of IDA was 43.6 % among
urban and 39.5% among rural pregnant women. In urban group IDA was more (72.1%) in young
ages (20-30 years) while it was 54.4% in the rural group in the same age group. None of women
suffered from severe anaemia (HB <7 gmIdl). 56.4% of the urban and 41.3% of the rural groups
were aware about IDA and it is significantly related to the education in each group. Home
nutritional advice was given by public health nurse to 4.5% of the urban and to 19.2% of the ruraJ
group while in the clinic it was given to 10.9% of urban and to 28.5% of the rural group. Television
(62.8%), radio (48. 1%), mother (34.0%) and mother in law (18.6%) were the main other sources
among the urban group while radio (34.9%), television (27.9%), mother in law (16.3%) and. mother
(8.1%) were among the rural group. Pregnant women applied the nutritional advice were 9.6% of
the urban and 22.7% of the rural group and its not related to educational, status in each group but
significant between both groups (p< 0.01). Most of the urban (75.6%) and rural group (84.9%)
attend antenatal clinics in the second trimester. Pregnant women received iron folate tablelS fonn
53.8% of urban and 39.8% ofruml groups irrespective to Hb level. Iron tablets were taken regularly
by 59.5% of urban and by 60.3% ofrural pregnant women. The nurses' role was limited because of
the few given nutritional advices, very poor follow-up of women and also the scarce educational
materials. Haemoglobin level after receiving iron tablets was sti ll low in 47.4% of the total urban
and in 41.9% of total rural pregnant women without significant difference between both groups
<1>=0.82)