Abstract
Background: Anemia affects around half a billion women of reproductive age worldwide, women; especially pregnant women are at high risk of contracting anemia. The aim of this study was to asses’ awareness of anemia among pregnant women and identifies associated factors with the level of awareness. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 at Yrga Cheffe health center, South Ethiopia. Data were gathered using structured questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique was used to select participants. Sample frame was prepared from secondary data at antenatal care service unit. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 244 study participants about 94.3% (230) pregnant women were responsive and only 44.3% (102) of the women have comprehensive awareness of anemia. Awareness of anemia was significantly associated with number of ANC visit {AOR=7.407, CI=95% [3.247-16.895]}, occupational status {AOR=1.970, CI=95% [1.092-3.555]} and educational status {AOR=6.141, CI=95% [2.781-13.562]} of respondents. Conclusion: Promoting the benefits of early and frequent ANC, enhancing the quality of ANC and counseling on the ad knowledge of women on anemia are essential elements for improving the awareness of anemia.
Highlights
Awareness refers to “the state or level of consciousness where sense data can be confirmed by observer,” or can be defined more broadly and as “knowledge or perception of a situation or fact [1,2].” According to the World Health Organization “anemia is a condition in which the number of RBCS or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status [3]”
It is believed that improving awareness motivates behavioral change and it is possible that limited knowledge about anemia interferes with ANC attendance, IF supplements use, dietary practices, and the use of anti-helminthes medicine [6]
The awareness of anemia among pregnant women attending ANC service at Yrga Cheffe Health Center is generally low, as pregnant women have less than average awareness about anemia
Summary
Awareness refers to “the state or level of consciousness where sense data can be confirmed by observer,” or can be defined more broadly and as “knowledge or perception of a situation or fact [1,2].” According to the World Health Organization “anemia is a condition in which the number of RBCS or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status [3]”. According to the World Health Organization “anemia is a condition in which the number of RBCS or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status [3]”. It affects half a billion women of reproductive age worldwide that is 30.2% of non-pregnant and 41.8% of pregnant women aged 15-49 years [3]. The commonest type of anemia is IDA which is controlled by nutritional intake of Fe rich foods and taking IF supplementation [4], women have less awareness about their health [5]. The aim of this study was to asses’ awareness of anemia among pregnant women and identifies associated factors with the level of awareness
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