Knowledge, attitude, and practices of general female population toward iron deficiency anemia in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major public health issue in all countries. Considering the link between IDA and the lack of suitable knowledge, attitude, and practice, IDA could be prevented. Thus, this study aimed to determine the awareness and management of IDA among the general female population in the Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among females in the general population of Saudi Arabia from August to October 2022. Data were collected from participants through an online self-administered questionnaire via Google Forms. A convenient non-probability sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Results: A total of 382 participants were involved in this study. Most of the participants were aged between 26 and 30 years (43.5%) and the majority of them were graduated. It was found that the mean knowledge score was 12.4 ± 5.5 points and the highest proportion of participants had poor knowledge (76.2%). Doctors or healthcare professionals were the main sources of knowledge about IDA. Regarding attitude and practice, iron supplements/tablets were prescribed to 40.3% of the participants however, most of them (31.7%) occasionally followed the recommended dose of iron supplements. Furthermore, it was found that age, nationality, marital status, number of children, occupation, and monthly income were significantly associated with knowledge about IDA (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The general female population in the Al-Jouf region in Saudi Arabia had inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and practice toward IDA. Several socio-demographic variables were found to be significantly associated with knowledge about IDA.