ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE PREVENTION OF ANEMIA

Abstract

This study is carried out under the topic “Assessing the knowledge and practice of pregnant women in the prevention of anemia in pregnancy”. This study has 3 objectives; causes of anemia, how it can be detected, and the different management and preventive measures of this disease. The main method used in data collection is by the use of a questionnaire which is divided into 3 se4ctions and made up of 17 close-ended questions.

The accessible population was the pregnant women who visited the Buea Regional Hospital at the time of this study. The goal of this study is to see how best pregnant women can manage and prevent anemia in pregnancy. Results gotten after this study show that a majority of the respondents are between 20-28 years, a greater percentage are married, 64 went to the university, 50 are housewives followed by traders, students, and apprentices.

Also, 60 are multigravida compared to 40 of primigravida. Most of the respondents know about the causes, management, and preventive measures of the disease. Recommendations made after this study are; free iron should be given to every pregnant woman coming for ANC in the hospital and the government should provide financial assistance to women with low-income levels who cannot afford regular meals.

CHAPTER ONE    

 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Anemia during pregnancy is a public health problem especially in developing countries and is associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy (Black et al., 2013). World Health Organization (WHO) has defined anemia in pregnancy as the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of less than 11 g/dl (WHO, 2001).

According to WHO, anemia is considered to be of a public health significance or problem if population studies find the anemia prevalence of 5.0% or higher. The prevalence of anemia of ≥40% in a population is classified as a severe public health problem (WHO, 2008). Global data shows that 56% of pregnant women in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) have anemia    (Black et al., 2013).

The prevalence of anemia is highest among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (57%), followed by pregnant women in Southeast Asia (48%), and the lowest prevalence (24.1%) was found among pregnant women in South America (WHO, 2008).

Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys reported a slight decrease in the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women from 58% in 2004/05 to 53% in 2010 (NBS, 2005; 2011). Other studies conducted in Tanzania have reported a higher prevalence of anemia among pregnant women: 68% in Dar es Salaam and 47% in Moshi (Kidanto et al., 2009; Msuya et al., 2011).

The causes of anemia during pregnancy in developing countries are multifactorial; these include micronutrient deficiencies of iron, folate, and vitamins A and B12 and anemia due to parasitic infections such as malaria and hookworm or chronic infections like TB and HIV (Msuya et al., 2011; Ononge et al., 2014).

Contributions of each of the factors that cause anemia during pregnancy vary due to geographical location, dietary practice, and season. But in Sub-Saharan Africa, inadequate intake of diets rich in iron is reported as the leading cause of anemia among pregnant women (Ononge et al., 2014). Anemia during pregnancy is reported to have negative maternal and child health effects and increases the risk of maternal and perinatal mortality (Mbule et al., 2013). The negative health effects for the mother include fatigue, poor work capacity, impaired immune function, increased risk of cardiac diseases, and mortality (Mbule et al., 2013).

Some studies have shown that anemia during pregnancy contributes to 23% of indirect causes of maternal deaths in developing countries (Black et al., 2013). Anemia in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight babies (Levy et al., 2005).

Preterm and LBW are still the leading causes of neonatal deaths in developing countries like Tanzania contributing to 30% of the deaths (Guyatt and Snow, 2004). It has also been associated with increased risk of intra-uterine deaths (IUFD), low APGAR score at 5 minutes, and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) which is a risk for stunting among children of less than two years (Msuya et al., 2011).

However, raising awareness of anemia prevention and control, promoting behavior change in the community, advocating for increased funding for national anemia programming, and training to build capacity among health workers are activities that can be implemented by any and all sectors and across sectors. They are most effective when approached in a coordinated, targeted manner.

1.2 The Problem Statement

Anemia in pregnancy is being increasingly recognized as a public hazard in women .most of these women affected are from developing parts of West Africa, Cameroon. Most of these women are at risk of anemia during pregnancy. However, there is not enough reliable data c collected from the above study on how well informed they are on the preventive measures.

A few studies on the knowledge and practice towards anemia have been carried out in Benin City Nigeria. Each of these studies has recorded low knowledge and practice among participants.

The need for new studies especially in neighboring countries like Cameroon has become necessary to a certain level of improvements. This would be necessary for designing appropriate awareness creation intervention strategies. The study was then to assess pregnant women’s knowledge and practice in the management and prevention of anemia.

1.3. Research Question

1. What is the knowledge of pregnant women on anemia?
2. What is the practice of women in the prevention of anemia in pregnancy?

1.4 Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis: Pregnant women do not have adequate knowledge and practice in the management and prevention of anemia.

Alternative Hypothesis: Pregnant women have adequate knowledge and practice in the management and prevention of anemia

1.5 Aim Of Study

This study aimed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge and practice in the management and prevention of anemia so as to help reduce morbidity and mortality related to anemia by improving the knowledge and practice of pregnant women on anemia.

1.6.1 Main Objective

To find out the knowledge and practice of pregnant women on the management and prevention of anemia.

1.6.2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess pregnant women knowledge of anemia
2. To know how this disease can be detected
3. To evaluate pregnant women practice in the management and prevention of anemia