A Study to Assess Knowledge of Mothers of Fewer than Five Children Regarding Nutritional Anemia from Karad Urban Area

Background: Nutritional Anemia is worldwide problem with the highest prevalence in developing countries, found especially among under five children, women of childbearing age, young children and during pregnancy and lactation. Anemia is more common in children because Growth and Development of these children totally depends on mothers and societal factors such as age of mother, education of mother, occupation, income and cultural and traditional practices along with blind beliefs in society. Aim& Objectives: To assess the knowledge of mothers of under five children regarding nutritional anemia and to know the various etiological factors causing nutritional anemia. Material& Methods: A descriptive approach with non-experimental design was used to accomplish the objectives. Purposive sampling technique was used for a sample of 84 mothers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was summarized and categorized for further statistical treatment i. e. mean, median and standard deviation on which the frequency of percentage and level of knowledge was assessed and classified into good, average and poor. Result& Conclusion: Findings of the study revealed that majority of mothers were from low income group i. e.34 (40.47 %), major source of family income was service or job i. e.33 (39.28 %) and maximum mothers 77 (91.66 %) were having average knowledge regarding nutritional anemia. We observed in our study that majority of the mothers77 (91.66 %) are having average knowledge about the cooking practices, Nutrients required for childs health, importance of Nutrition during ANC period and lactation period.