From Table 1, 68 (31.8%) were of ages below 18 years, 21 (9.8%) were from 18 to 24 years, 82 (38.3%) were from 25 to 34 years, and 11 (5.1%) were from 45 years or above. In terms of marital status, 89 (41.6%) were single, 113 (52.8%) were married, and 12 (5.6%) were widowed. 10 (4.7%) of the respondents had primary as their highest education qualification, 65 (30.4%) were JHS graduates, 87 (40.7%) were SHS graduates, and 52 (24.3%) were tertiary school graduates. In terms of occupation, 42 (19.6%) out of the 214 respondents were farmers, 54 (25.2%) were government workers, 108 (50.5%) worked in the private sector, and 10 (4.7%) were housewives.
Table 1
Data on respondents’ demographic features
Demographic feature | n = 214 | Frequency (percentage) |
Age (years) | | |
Below 18 | | 68 (31.8%) |
18–24 | | 21 (9.8%) |
25–34 | | 82 (38.3%) |
35–44 | | 32 (15.0%) |
45 or above | | 11 (5.1%) |
Marital status | | |
Single | | 89 (41.6%) |
Married | | 113 (52.8%) |
Widowed | | 12 (5.6%) |
Divorced | | - |
Higher educational status | | |
Primary | | 10 (4.7%) |
JHS | | 65 (30.4%) |
SHS | | 87 (40.7%) |
Tertiary | | 52 (24.3%) |
Occupational status | | |
Farmer | | 42 (19.6%) |
Government | | 54 (25.2%) |
Private | | 108 (50.5%) |
House wife | | 10 (4.7%) |
From Table 2, 183 (85.5%) of the 214 respondents said that iron deficiency anemia is when the body does not have enough iron. 183 (85.5%) out of the 214 respondents said iron deficiency anemia is when less iron in the body affects hemoglobin production but 31 (14.5%) respondents said iron deficiency anemia is not. Concerning the risk factors for iron deficiency anemia; 180 (84.1%) said poor nutrition is a risk factor, 171 (80%) said bleeding in pregnancy is a risk factor, 170 (79.4%) indicated that heavy pre-pregnancy menstrual flow is a risk factor, 108 (50.5%) responded that closely spaced pregnancies are a risk factor, 95 (44.4%) said vomiting frequently is a factor, and 170 (79.4%) said the history of anemia before pregnancy is a factor for iron deficiency anemia. In terms of signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, the following portions of the respondents indicated that the identified signs and symptoms were signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia; fatigue was 181 (84.6%), weakness was 193 (90.2%), pale or yellowish skin was 138 (64.5%), dizziness was 126 (58.9%), the headache was 138 (64.5%), shortness of breath was 142 (66.4%), craving or chewing ice was 108 (50.5%), difficulty in concentration was 130 (60.7%), low blood pressure was 139 (65%).
Table 2
Participants’ responses on their knowledge of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy
Knowledge of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy | n = 214 | Frequency (Percentage) |
Yes | No | NA |
Meaning of iron deficiency anemia | | | | |
When the body does not have enough iron | | 183 (85.5%) | 31 (14.5%) | |
When less iron in the body affects hemoglobin production | | 183 (85.5%) | 31 (14.5%) | |
Risk factors for iron deficiency anemia | | | | |
Poor nutrition | | 180 (84.1%) | 34 (15.9%)) | |
Bleeding in pregnancy | | 171 (80%) | 43 (20%) | |
Heavy pre-pregnancy menstrual flow | | 170 (79.4%) | 44 (20.6%) | |
Closely spaced pregnancies | | 108 (50.5%) | 106 (49.5%) | |
Vomiting frequently | | 105 (49.1%) | 109 (50.9%) | |
History of anemia before pregnancy | | 170 (79.4%) | 44 (20.6%) | |
Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia | | | | |
Fatigue | | 181 (84.6%) | 33 (15.4%) | |
Weakness | | 193 (90.2%) | 21 (9.8%) | |
Pale or yellowish skin | | 138 (64.5%) | 76 (35.5%) | |
Dizziness | | 126 (58.9%) | 88 (41.1%) | |
Headache | | 138 (64.5%) | 76 (35.5%) | |
Pale or yellowish skin | | 162 (75.7%) | 52 (24.3%) | |
Shortness of breath | | 142 (66.4%) | 72 (33.6%) | |
Craving or chewing ice | | 108 (50.5%) | 106 (49.5%) | |
Difficulty in concentration | | 130 (60.7%) | 84 (39.3%) | |
Low blood pressure | | 139 (65%) | 75 (35%) | |
Prevent iron deficiency anemia | | | | |
Good nutrition | | 149 (69.6%) | 65 (30.4%) | |
Iron supplement | | 161 (75.2%) | 53 (24.8%) | |
Frequent fruits intake | | 149 (69.6%) | 65 (30.4%) | |
Spacing of births | | 141 (65.9%) | 73 (34.1%) | |
Complications of iron-deficiency anemia | | | | |
Preterm delivery | | 124 (57.9%) | 90 (42.1%) | |
Giving birth to a baby with a low birth weight | | 162 (75.7%) | 52 (24.3%) | |
Motor or cognitive development delays in children | | 161 (75.2%) | 53 (24.8%) | |
Depression | | 109 (50.9%) | 105 (49.1%) | |
Increased risk of infections | | 130 (60.7%) | 84 (39.3%) | |
From Table 3, 182 (85%) said they visit ANC regularly. 130 (60.7%) out of the 214 respondents said they eat a balanced diet; at least three times a day. 149 (69.6%) out of the 214 respondents said they consume Iron tablets as prescribed by their midwife. 108 (50.5%) out of the 214 respondents revealed that they do family planning when they have not planned to be pregnant. Concerning whether they allow space between their pregnancies, 171 (79.9%) said yes while the rest said no. 125 (58.4%) of the 214 respondents indicated that they take Folic acid supplements in their current pregnancy. Out of the 214 respondents, 126 (58.9%) revealed that they include fiber-rich food frequently. 150 (70.1%) revealed that they include green leafy vegetables in their diet every day. 107 (50%) of the 214 responses identified they check their Hb level at regular intervals. 128 (59.8%) identified that they check their blood pressure regularly. 130 (60.7%) identified that they sleep under treated mosquito nets. 162 (75.7%) identified that they deworm as encouraged by their midwife.
Table 3
Participants’ responses on their Practices of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy
Practices of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy | n = 214 | Frequency (Percentage) |
Yes | No | NA |
Do you visit ANC regularly? | | 182 (85%) | 32 (15%) | |
Do you eat a balanced diet; at least three times a day? | | 130 (60.7%) | 84 (39.3%) | |
Do you consume Iron tablets as prescribed by the midwife? | | 149 (69.6%) | 65 (30.4%) | |
Do you do family planning when you have not planned to be pregnant? | | 108 (50.5%) | 106 (49.5%) | |
Do you allow space between your pregnancies? | | 171 (79.9%) | 43 (20.1%) | |
Have you taken Folic acid supplements during your current pregnancy? | | 125 (58.4%) | 89 (41.6%) | |
Do you include fiber-rich food frequently? | | 126 (58.9%) | 88 (41.1%) | |
Do you include green leafy vegetables in your diet every day? | | 150 (70.1%) | 64 (29.9%) | |
Do you check your Hb level at a regular interval? | | 107 (50%) | 107 (50%) | |
Do you check your blood pressure regularly? | | 128 (59.8%) | 86 (40.2%) | |
Do you sleep under treated mosquito nets? | | 130 (60.7%) | 84 (39.3%) | |
Do you deworm as encouraged by your midwife? | | 162 (75.7%) | 52 (24.3%) | |
From Table 4, out of the 5780 responses obtained from respondents' responses to items that sought to assess their knowledge of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, 4015 (69.5%) were appropriate while 1765 (30.5%) were inappropriate. Also, of the 2568 responses obtained from respondents' responses to items purported to assess respondents’ practices on iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, 1668 (65%) were appropriate while 900 (35%) were incorrect.
Table 4
Cumulative responses on each objective
Knowledge of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy | N = 5780 | |
Yes | | 4015 (69.5%) |
No | | 1765 (30.5%) |
Practices of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy | N = 2568 | |
Yes | | 1668 (65%) |
No | | 900 (35%) |
Correlation between knowledge and practices on iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy | | 0.68 |