Knowledge and Prevalence of Anaemia in Pregnancy among Pregnant Women in Nkanu-West Local Government Area, Enugu State

Abstract

This study determined the knowledge and prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy
among pregnant women in the Nkanu-west local government area, Enugu State.
Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. The study
adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A sample of 320 pregnant women
was selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Semi-structured
questionnaires and blood test measurements (haemoglobin level estimation) were
used for data collection. A reliability index of .78 of the spilt-half method result
was established using the Spearman-Brown test. Data analyses were performed
with SPSS, version 23. Frequency and percentages were used to answer research
objectives 1-3 while Chi-square analysis was used to test the hypothesis at a .05
level of significance. The study found a 55.0% prevalence of mild anaemia, 26.6%
moderate anaemia, and 1.20% severe anaemia among the respondents. Also, the
result indicated that 14.6% had poor knowledge, 50.0% had average knowledge
and 35.3% had high knowledge of anaemia in pregnancy. The chi-square test
showed that occupation and parity had a significant relationship with the level of
knowledge of anaemia among the women (p < .05). It was concluded that
anaemia was prevalent among pregnant women and knowledge of anaemia was
moderate which can have adverse effects on the fetal and maternal outcome. An
intensified sensitization and enlightenment of pregnant women by the health care
workers and health educators on the causes of anaemia, treatment and necessary
precautions to prevent anaemia in pregnancy was recommended.