Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Care Unit at Public Hospitals of Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia: Institutional Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction:- Globally, the most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, which is responsible for about half of anemia cases in pregnancy, and it is estimated that in developed countries 38% of pregnant women have iron depletion. In developing countries, the major causes of anemia in pregnancy are nutritional deficiencies, parasitic infestations, HIV infection, hemorrhage and some chronic medical disorders like renal and hepatic diseases. Recent statistics indicate that anemia affects 57% of pregnant women globally with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Anemia is an indicator of nutritional deficiencies that significantly contribute to birth defects, preterm labour and low birth weight, hence it causes global public health problem.

Despite interventions of treating and preventing maternal anemia, still many pregnant women are affected by anemia related health problems and the contributing factors.

Objectives:- To assess knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention of Iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women attending ante-natal care unit at public Hospitals of Harar town, eastern Ethiopia from March, 12 - April 06, 2018.

Method & Materials:- The study was done in Harar town on the public hospitals from March 12-April 12, 2018. The study design was institutional based cross sectional study. By using a single population formula & by making a correction formula our sample size was 128, which the pregnant women was select by simple random sampling from each Hospitals after proportional allocated based on the total sample size. The data was collected using close ended semi-structured questioners by trained 4 diploma nurses with 1 supervisor. For processing & analyzing SPSS version 20 was used & the data were presented by table, graph & chart using frequency & percentage of the results.

Result: according to our study form total N=158 most 68% had no(Iron deficiency anemia) IDA, but 32% had IDA, most of them heard about anemia, most define anemia, knew cause & prevention method 75(58.6%), most had positive perception on consumption of folic acid, family planning, feed regular meal, also related to practice most take 76(59.4%) folic acid on current pregnancy, 72(56.3%) feed fiber rich food.

Discussion: In our study the prevalence anemia shows 32% which indicate less than study done in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz, Egypt, Jordan,  higher than Armenia & Moldova this may due to sample size & study area difference. Similar study in Sierra Leone among the 185 subjects, majority (89.2%) had heard about anemia. Which is comparable to our study, 68.1% recognized lack of iron in food as the cause for anemia, which is low in our study. About 69.7% pointed that consuming iron rich foods could prevent anemia, in our study it is less.

Conclusion and Recommendation: according to our study the prevalence of IDA were low, this may related to most had knew, had positive attitude and practice method use to prevent iron deficiency anemia. But there were 32% with IDA so to prevent this strengthens health education, involve private health institution & husbands of the pregnant mothers, health facilities & stakeholders should to work on increasing the awareness, positive perception & skill on prevention of IDA.

Keywords: Knowledge , Attitude , Practice , Anemia

DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/53-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2019