TABLE 7.

Adherence partners’ experiences supporting antenatal micronutrient supplementation

Theme	Illustrative quote
Adherence partners provide instrumental, emotional, and informational support	I take care of all the things and any sort of work around the house, including fetching water. For the last 4 months she has never stepped in the river… I also have to leave her food to prepare; at least she can do that without much strain… I vowed that whether in joy or pain, hardships and happiness, I have to be there for her. Any husband is supposed to look after his pregnant wife in all ways possible. —Husband, #04-001
	When she is pregnant, I am supposed to keep her from being stressed all the time because the baby in the womb will also be affected. —Husband, #03-005
	I have to make sure that she eats something and does not stay without any food; I have to try to find some so that she can eat and then take her pills after the meal. —Mother, #15-004
Support adherence for the woman's health	When your wife is healthy, you feel proud… if she has a safe delivery and the baby is healthy, it is to your benefit. Also, when you are helping and reminding her to take her pills it improves your relationship and brings you closer. It builds your marriage together. —Husband, #03-004
Adherence support was consistent with their role	I am happy because when a girl comes to your homestead and she is pregnant you need to support her so that even when she goes to her home, her people can see that she is healthier than when she left their home. —Mother-in-law, #15-040
A few husbands closely monitored adherence, which women had mixed feelings about	She used to be weak but now that she is taking the pills, she is better… In the beginning when she would cook food and bring it to the table, I would ask her, “Where is the book [calendar]?” She would give me the book and I would tell her to take the medicine. Now it has become easy. Even if I'm not around she takes her pills. —Husband, #03-034
	In the morning he looks at the calendar and asks me if I have taken my pills and then I tell him I have just taken it now, and if I have forgotten he will look for [the pills] and bring them to me… Him reminding me has really helped me take the pills as directed. —24-y-old multigravida, #03-034
	Sometimes if you are not feeling well or are tired and maybe somebody is persisting, you don't feel good, at times you tell him to get off your case, and he persists. When somebody keeps persisting, I don't like it. —37-y-old multigravida, #15-006