Knowledge, Attitude and Practiceon Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Care Unitat Public Hospitals of Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Anemia which is associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome, is the most common medical disorder and a risk factor in pregnancy causing 20-40% of maternal deaths directly or indirectly through cardiac failure, preeclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage and puerperal sepsis. Aim: The study is aimed at evaluating knowledge, attitude and practices regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women attending primary health centers in Tabuk region. Methods: Descriptive design was utilized to fulfill the aim of this study. The study was conducted at eight health centers at Tabuk region. A purposive sample (N= 300) of pregnant women who attended the eight health centers at Tabuk region for receiving antenatal care was included in the study. Three tools of data collection were used; 1) self-administrated questionnaire: It includes socio-demographic data, obstetric and health history and knowledge assessment 2) modified likert scale: to assess the attitudes of pregnant women with regard to anemia prevention. 3) Practice items: to assess practice of pregnant women to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Results: The findings revealed that 25.0% of the pregnant women had history of anemia before pregnancy, 66.7% % of them had poor knowledge, and 70.0 % of them had neutral attitude toward iron deficiency anemia. And 40.0 % of them obtained poor practices score regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: The majority of pregnant women in Tabuk Region have poor knowledge, neutral attitude and poor practices regarding prevention iron deficiency anemia.