Assess the Knowledge on Iron Deficiency Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Primary Health Centre of Rural District Bengaluru, Karnataka

The present study was undertaken by the investigator to assess the knowledge on iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Primary Health Centre of Rural District Bengaluru, Karnataka. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge on iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic and to associate the knowledge scores on iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women with their demographic variables. A non-experimental approach with descriptive design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Ardesanahalli primary health centre of rural district Bengaluru, Karnataka. The sample size was 90 pregnant women. Sampling technique chosen was convenient sampling technique. Structured interview schedule was used for collecting the data such as demographic variables, information regarding iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women. Conceptual model of the present study was based on Modified Pender�s Health Behavior Model. The tool was prepared and pretested for validity and reliability. Pilot study was done on 24-08-10 to check feasibility and practicability of the study. Main study was done in the month of September. Analysis and interpretation was done by Descriptive and inferential statistics. The conclusion of the study was that Majority of the pregnant women were in the age group of 18-21 and 22-25 years, most of the pregnant women had no formal education, majority were unemployed, most of them had income below Rs.1000, many of them belong to nuclear family and were Hindus. Almost all of them were vegetarian; most of the pregnant women were in first trimester. Majority of pregnant women belong to Primigravida and Nulli para. The frequency and Percentage distribution of overall knowledge of pregnant women showed that 74.4 % of the pregnant women had inadequate knowledge on iron deficiency anemia whereas none of them had adequate knowledge. However, 25.6 % of the pregnant women had moderately adequate knowledge on iron deficiency anemia. Association between knowledge score and demographic variable of pregnant women revealed that there is significant association of knowledge score with education, occupation, monthly income, dietary pattern, source of information, gravida, trimester and parity. However, no significant association of knowledge score with age in years, religion and type of family were found. On the basis of findings the investigator concluded that majority of pregnant women had inadequate knowledge related to iron deficiency anemia and similar study can be undertaken for a large sample size to generalize the findings, a similar type of study can also be conducted for adolescent girl in different settings and comparative study can be conducted between urban and rural pregnant women.