Authors : Rachana M. Sirsat and Ankush M. Sirsat
Page Nos : 52-54
Description :
Anemia in pregnancy is one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for both antenatal mothers and the newborns. However early diagnosis, effective treatment and proper counseling can reduce the morbidity of anemia in both. Hence, this study was carried out o study the knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women regarding anemia in Amravati (M.S). About 187 primigravida age more than 19 years visiting the OBGY OPD (Antenatal OPD) in a tertiary hospital over a period of 4 months from January 2016 to April 2016 were selected by systematic random sample method and were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding anemia to test their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to anemia such as information about iron rich dietary sources, maternal and fetal complications of anemia, source of knowledge, implementation of iron rich diet, drug compliance etc and data was collected accordingly. 104 (55.61 %) mothers out of 187 were aware of the dietary sources of iron however only 66 (63.46%) women actually implemented this in their diet practice. About 79 (42.24 %) mothers were aware of some of the maternal complications of anemia in pregnancy. 33 (41.77%) of them knew about fetal complications like low birth weight. Source of this knowledge was TV and radio for majority of women. Only 11 mothers were showing poor compliance to iron medication. The study reflects the ignorance, poverty and illiteracy among majority of the antenatal women coming to the Hospital. Assessments of knowledge and practice and implication of health education are necessary for prevention of Anemia in pregnancy. Educating antenatal women about the importance of diet and implementing this into practice will definitely help in the prevention of anemia and its consequences on health.
Key words: Anemia, Primigravida, Antenatal, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.
