Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards prevention of Anaemia among Pregnant Women aged 18- 45 years in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu District. A Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward the prevention of anaemia among pregnant women aged 18-45 years in the Gulu regional referral hospital, Gulu district. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional study design with simple random sampling as the sampling technique. Data were collected on a sample size of 50 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires written in the English language with open and ended questions as data collection tools; analysis was done manually using tally sheets, pens, and paper, entered in an excel computer program; presented in tables and figures; then interpreted. Results: (94%) of respondents agreed that going for antenatal visits is important, (85%) agreed that a mother and a child can benefit from taking iron supplements, (72%) disagreed that cultural or religious beliefs prevent pregnant women from eating certain types of food, (60%) always preferred to sleep under ITNs and (70%) reported that they feel normal when they sleep under ITNs. (56%) of respondents who had attended three ANC visits, (62%) of iron supplements they had ever taken were folic acid, (68%) usually take the iron supplements, (50%) commonly feed on carbohydrates, (60%) utilize meals three times daily and (90%) receive an iron supplement from a health facility. Conclusion: The study established a research gap in regards to types of food they commonly feed on, low uptake of ITNs, ANC, and irregular iron supplements intake among a notable few women, and inadequate access to iron supplements at the hospital which needs to be addressed for equitable anaemia prevention interventions. Recommendation: Therefore, health workers at Gulu regional referral hospital should continue to sensitize pregnant women on the dangers of not sleeping under ITNs, irregular ANC visits, and iron intake which was observed.

Keywords

• Anaemia
• Pregnant Women
• Gulu District