KNOWLEDGE ON CAUSE AND PREVENTION OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine knowledge on cause and prevention of anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic with a special reference to mother and child hospital Akure, Ondo state. Specifically, the study examined the causes of anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. The study also evaluate if pregnant women attending antenatal clinic have a knowledge on the prevention of anaemia. The study further find out the effect of anaemia on pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Lastly, the study evaluate the preventive measures pregnant women can adhere to so as not to contract anaemia. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 30 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that the causes of anaemia among pregnant women are iron deficiency, folate deficiency anemia,vitamin B12 deficiencies and infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and parasitic infections. Also, pregnant women attending antenatal clinic have a knowledge on the prevention of anaemia. Furthermore, some of the effect of anaemia among pregnant women are increase in the risk of premature birth, low birth weight baby ,postpartum depression, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Lastly, some of the ways pregnant women can prevent anaemia is to eat iron-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dried beans and fortified grains, eat foods high in folic acid, such as dried beans, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ and orange juice,eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables and take your prenatal multivitamin and mineral pill which contains extra folate. The study thereby recommend that Public enlightenment campaigns should be embarked upon to sensitize the public on what anaemia is, its causes, risk factors and complications. Also, health education and promotion, especially to encourage all pregnant women to book early for antenatal care and to take appropriate intervention measures. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) efforts should be directed towards increasing levels of awareness and commitment at all levels. Furthermore,strategies should be put in place to increase awareness on anaemia. These should include dissemination of information via antenatal and under-five clinics, public radio, and community development meetings conducted by extension workers. More so, education of the girl-child should be made compulsory to avoid teenage and unplanned pregnancy. This can also help in delaying first pregnancy. Lastly,distribution of iron tablets in communities targeted at adolescent girls and women after marriage and before conception, as well as in the inter-pregnancy period will prevent iron deficiency at the onset of a pregnancy.