Factors Associated With Anaemia among Pregnant Women in Mandera County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Anaemia is a nutrition-related disease that mostly affects pregnant women and is among the most common diseases associated with deficiency that are observed globally, affecting more than a quarter of the global population. The aim of the study was to assess the factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in Mandera County Referral Hospital, Kenya. The study used hospital based cross-sectional descriptive design. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data (n=382) from pregnant women who attended Mandera County Referral Hospital, Kenya. About 68.9% of the respondents indicated unawareness on the sources of iron (p value <0.05) while 44.2% of the respondents were aware of the sources of iron. The study also indicated that, 63.8% of the women faces challenges of access and availability of iron rich foods and thus the need for IFAS or other iron rich supplements while 79.8% of women were aware of various sources of Vitamin A which was significant at 5%. The study also indicated that, only 64.1% of women have knowledge of health problem linked to lack of enough folic acid that which results in ‘Neural Tube Defects’ such as spina bifida and Goiter (enlargement of thyroid glands).The study concludes that there is need to educate and create awareness on anaemia, its effects in pregnancy, influence and the importance attached to the supplements for the pregnant women in Mandera County Referral Hospital