Knowledge and practices on childhood anaemia, thalassaemia and iron deficiency among mothers of children aged between 6 and 59 months in a suburban area of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background Childhood anaemia is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. Here, we aim to describe the knowledge and practices on childhood anaemia, thalassaemia and iron deficiency among mothers of children aged between 6 and 59 months in a suburban district of Sri Lanka. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka from December 2020 to February 2021. One well-baby clinic each from four Medical Officer of Health areas in the district was selected using stratified random sampling. Mothers of all children aged between 6 and 59 months attending well-baby clinics were recruited until the sample size was achieved. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using logistic regression. Results A total of 392 mothers were recruited; 53% of their children were males. Only 33% of mothers had an accurate understanding of anaemia, while 71% and 28%, respectively, could name at least one symptom and two causes of anaemia; 12% could not name a single food rich in iron. Only 13% of mothers knew that thalassaemia is a cause of anaemia, and 14% had been screened for thalassaemia. Logistic regression analysis that examined for factors associated with higher knowledge of anaemia revealed that an accurate understanding of anaemia was associated with maternal age over 30 years (p < 0.05) and maternal education level beyond grade ten (p < 0.001). In contrast, higher knowledge of symptoms of anaemia was associated with maternal employment (p < 0.01). Conclusions The knowledge of anaemia and awareness of thalassaemia among mothers was poor. Very few mothers were aware of iron-rich food and feed it to their children. Despite being located in a thalassaemia-endemic region, very few knew that thalassaemia is a cause of anaemia and have got themselves screened for thalassaemia.

Level of knowledge and awareness among parents regarding the care of children with thalassaemia

“…These programs should target healthcare professionals, parents, and the general public, foster a comprehensive understanding of thalassemia, and promote best practices in care. 18 Additionally, healthcare providers should prioritise genetic counselling services and facilitate access to premarital and prenatal screening programs.…”

Conocimiento sobre prevención de anemia en madres de niños menores de 2 años de un establecimiento hospitalario en Lima Norte

“…Los conocimientos sobre prevención de anemia, se refiere al nivel información que maneja la madre sobre la anemia y sus medidas de prevención, adquirida a través del tiempo y sus experiencias vividas (25,26) . Samararathna y colaboradores (12) , en su estudio, indico que el 33% de las madres tenía una comprensión precisa de la anemia, mientras que el 71% y el 28%, nombran al menos un síntoma y dos causas de la anemia. Manifestaron que estos resultados se deberían factores como el nivel de educación, edad de la madre, nivel de experiencia de la madre con el cuidado de niños y así también como el número de hijos, el ingreso familiar mensual, la su ocupación, el nivel de información de la madre sobre la anemia y la disponibilidad de los alimentos ricos en hierro.…”

“…Un estudio desarrollado por Samararathna y colaboradores (12) , en Sri Lanka, sobre conocimientos y prácticas en anemia infantil en madres, conto con la participación de 392 madres, sus resultados indican que el 33% de las madres tenía una comprensión precisa de la anemia, mientras que el 71% y el 28%, nombran al menos un síntoma y dos causas de la anemia, sin embargo, el 12% no conocía un solo alimento rico en hierro. Encontraron que los factores asociados a un mayor conocimiento de anemia en las madres, fueron la edad materna mayor de 30 años (p<0,05) y el nivel de educación (p<0,001).…”

Management of iron deficiency anaemia in children

“…IDA is clinically asymptomatic and detected incidentally in most 8 . Clinical features depend on the severity of the iron deficiency and anaemia 9 . Some of the features are due to the deficiency of iron, while others are caused by associated anaemia (Table 1) 6 .…”