ABSTRACT
Anaemia in pregnancy is a common problem in most developing countries and a major cause of maternal mortality. In pregnancy, anaemia has a significant impact on the health of the mother and fetus. The study is on the level of awareness of the cause and prevention of anaemia in pregnancy amongst mothers attending antenatal clinic at poly sub-district hospital, Asata, Enugu state. Related literature were reviewed which showed that women are aware of the condition but do not know what causes it. Four research questions were asked which focused on the knowledge of causes, prevention and effect of anaemia in pregnancy. 160 pregnant women were selected using convenient sampling method and questionnaire method of data collection was used with a return rate of 93.8%. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentage and were discussed. 100 (66.7%) have an idea of what anaemia in pregnancy is, 19 (12.6.%) were of the view that booking visit should be done at anytime at all 69 (46%) have adequate knowledge of the effect of routine drugs. However, the majority 90 (60%) lacks the knowledge of the effect of the condition especially on the mother. Good antenatal care, good nutrition and health education were recommended as tools to reduce the burden of anaemia in pregnancy especially in developing countries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of Study 1
Statement of problem 3
Objective of the Study 3
Significance of the study 4
Research Questions 4
Scope of the study 5
Operational definitions 5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of anaemia 7
Effect of anaemia in pregnancy on the mother 17
Effect of the fetus 17
Complications of anaemia in pregnancy 18
Prevention of anaemia 20
Empirical review 21
Conceptual framework 23
Summary of literature review 24
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS
Research design 26
Area of the study 26
Study population 27
Sampling and sampling techniques 27
Sampling technique 27
Instrument for data collection 27
Method of collection 28
Validation of instrument 28
Ethnical considerations 28
Method of data analysis 28
CHAPTER FOUR:
Data Analysis and Presentation of Results 29
Questionnaire return rate 29
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
Implication of Nursing 45 Summary 45
Conclusion 46
Recommendation 47
Questionnaire 46
REFERENCES
LIST OF TABLE
Table 1: Bio data 29
Table 2: Marital status of the respondents 30
Table 3: Level of education of respondents 30
Table 4: Occupation of respondents 31
Table 5: 32
Table 6: Shows if pregnant mothers have received health
talk on anaemia 32
Table 7: Shows where they received the health talk 33
Table 8: Occupation of respondents 34
Table 9: Shows what pregnant mother think is the cause of
Anaemia 35
Table 10: Shows the respondents idea of the maternal
complications of anaemia 36
Table 11: Shows the respondents view of effect of anemia on
the fetus 36
Table 12: Shows when pregnant women think should be the
first on 37
Table 13: Show the opinion of regnant mothers about the
effect of routine drugs. 38
Table 14: Shows the opinion of others on the effect of adequate 38
Table 15: Shows respondents’ view of the need for hemoglobin
estimation on each visit. 39
Table 16: Shows respondent’s view of protein intake before and
during pregnancy 40
Table 17: Show that respondents view of the need for pre-marital
blood screening 41
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Anaemia is a reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, this may be caused by a decrease in red blood cell production, or reduction in hemoglobin contents of the blood or a combination of these (fraser and cooper, 2009). Famakinwa (2002), stated that anaemia can be defined precisely as reduction in the amount of circulating red blood cells and a lower than normal haemoglobin level resulting in the reduction of oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. The normal haemoglobin for males is 13-18gm/dl, 11.5-16.5gm/d for females and 11.0gm/dl for children. A reduction in the above, results to anaemia.
Pregnancy is a condition that can predispose a woman to anaemia due to the increased demand for oxygen and nutrient owing to the fact that a new individual is solely dependent on her survival. Anaemia in pregnancy is defined according to WHO as a haemoglobin concentration of less than 11.5gm/dl. During pregnancy, there is an increased demand of blood by the mother for protection from infection, preparation of the breast, prevention of post partum haemorrhage and extra iron for the fetus.
Anaemia in pregnancy is a common problem in most developing countries and a major contributing factor to maternal morbidity. 20% of maternal deaths in Africa have been attributed to anaemia (African Health Science 2005). It is estimated that 18% of women in industrialized countries are anaemic. In developing world, the figure rises to 56% and it is a contributory factor to women developing health problems and dying during pregnancy and child birth (WHO 1992). The major causes include diet low in iron, lack of folic acid in the diet, lack of vitamin B12 and rapid successions of pregnancy among others. The above is mainly seen in people of low socio-economic status and poor educational background. there is also increased hospital admission due to anaemia amongst pregnant women.
The condition can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the haemoglobin level of the individual. In mild cases, the individual due to hidden signs and symptoms may not recognize it as a problem until it progresses to severe anaemia with manifestation like dizziness, dyspnoea, weakness etc. Women of socio economic status who do not attend antenatal clinic are mostly affected as their hemoglobin level remains unestimated throughout pregnancy and this affects both mother and fetus adversely. This can result in abortion, post partum haemorrage(PPH), and low birth weight.
The problem of anaemia in pregnancy needs to be confronted so as to improve the outcome of pregnancy and reduce the alarming increase of maternal mortality and morbidity due to anaemia in developing countries with high level of poverty and illiteracy.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Despite the health talks by health workers in different maternity homes in Enugu State, the researcher has come across many mothers who are admitted in the hospital on account of anaemia in pregnancy. On inquiry, it was discovered that the problem is attributed mainly to low level of awareness on how to prevent the condition. The researcher therefore decided to carry out a study in poly sub-district hospital to determine the level of awareness of the causes and prevention of anaemia in pregnancy amongst pregnant mothers.
Specifically the objectives are to:
The findings of the study would enable the researcher:
1) Are the pregnant women aware of aneamia in pregnancy?
2) What do pregnant mothers know about the causes of anaemia in pregnancy?
3) What is the level of knowledge about the effect of anaemia in pregnancy amongst pregnant mothers?
4) What do pregnant mothers know about prevention of anaemia in pregnancy?
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study is delimited to pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in poly sub-district hospital, asata, Enugu State, and their level of awareness of the causes and prevention of anaemia in pregnancy.
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