Knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding iron deficiency anemia in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Ghana persists despite the national health policy of routine iron supplementation and education for pregnant women during antenatal care. This makes it worrying and as such, studies should be conducted to uncover why there is an increase in iron deficiency among pregnant women, after the national interventions to prevent the phenomenon. Thus, the study aimed to assess the knowledge, practices, and the relationship between knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding iron deficiency anemia. A descriptive cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach and convenient sampling method was used in conducting the study. A Standard closed-ended questionnaire was used to elicit responses from registered respondents. The study revealed that 69.5% of the respondents’ responses depicted good knowledge of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy and 65% showed good practices on iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.68) between knowledge level and practices of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Pregnant women who received antenatal care at Anum's Salvation Army Hospital demonstrated adequate knowledge and behaviors for preventing iron deficiency anemia. It was recommended that midwives intensify health education on clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.