Abstract
Anaemia in pregnancy is the most common public health concern in both developed and developing worlds like Palestine. Little is known about this significant health issue. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the perception, opinions and attitudes of anaemia among refugees pregnant women in Gaza strip. A cross-sectional study was employed among a random sample of 164 women or subjects, with a response rate of 81%. The survey was conducted at UNRWA antenatal health centers at refugee camps in Gaza strip. The study was approved by United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) health department. The study elucidated that a higher rate of women were knowledgeable and had ideas on anaemia, however, some women had inadequate knowledge on anaemia during pregnancy. There were a concern and misconception regarding some issues on anaemia such as; lack of knowledge on the effect of drinking tea on iron absorption; and on the side effects of iron pills during pregnancy. Highly positive opinions and attitudes toward anaemia were observed in most women. The study found that a high proportion of women were dissatisfied with the volume of health education sessions on anaemia at UNRWA antenatal health centers and many women had not attended or joined such sessions. In general, the study declined to find a significant differences regarding anaemia between women with and those without health education sessions on anaemia. Finally, the study suggests that, an effective and a clear health education strategy is needed in order to improve women perceptions, awareness, opinions and attitudes regarding anaemia in Palestine. Further researches are important and needed in this scope.
Highlights
Anaemia is known as a major public health concern globally, in both developed and developing countries with a major impacts for individuals health, economic and social development
It is defined by World Health Organization (WHO), as " a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which varies by age, ex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status" [4]
The maximum number of women were from low and middle-income background, whereas, the lowest percentage was from high-income level and most of them had attended health education sessions
Summary
Anaemia is known as a major public health concern globally, in both developed and developing countries with a major impacts for individuals health, economic and social development. It is most prevalent in pregnancy [1]. Anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia affect about 3.5 billion people globally, with 110,000 maternal deaths attributable to iron deficiency annually [3] It is defined by World Health Organization (WHO), as " a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which varies by age, ex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status" [4]. Anaemia in pregnancy is defined by WHO as Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2019; 7(4): 109-115
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