Knowledge and Practice of Prevention of Anaemia in Pregnancy Among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State

Abstract

Anaemia in pregnancy is a significant public health concern and is common among pregnant women and children. The study examined the knowledge of anaemia in pregnancy and preventive practices among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu. This study adopted descriptive survey design and 150, sample size was calculated. The same number of questionnaire was distributed following an informed consent. The data for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency/percentages and inferential statistics such as correlation analysis. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and practice of prevention of anaemia in pregnancy by the pregnant women at p-value of 0.000 which is significant at 5%. Also, the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the perceived causes of anaemia in pregnancy and its preventive practices among the pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu at p-value of 0.000 which is significant at 5% level. The implication of this is that the level of knowledge and practice of prevention of anaemia in pregnancy by pregnant women has influence on pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu especially those affected by the menace. In conclusion, it was clear that anaemia in pregnancy is prevalent in Nigeria contemporary society whose quick prevention should be taken into prompt consideration. It is however recommended that the government should employ more public health nurses in order to ensure at least a visit to help increase the knowledge of pregnant women on anaemia in pregnancy and lay more emphasis on the preventive practices.