Publication:

Impact of pharmacist-monitored patient education in pregnant women with anemia: a knowledge, attitude and practice study

Background Anemia during pregnancy, defined as hemoglobin levels below 11 g/dL, affects nearly 37% of pregnant women globally and 52.2% in India. Pharmacists are well positioned to provide education, though evidence for the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding anemia is limited. This study evaluated the impact of pharmacist-monitored patient education on KAP in pregnant women with anemia.

Methods This six-month prospective interventional study (Jan-2025 to June-2025) was conducted among 130 pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Data were collected during routine antenatal visits using a validated structured questionnaire in English and Kannada. Following initial KAP assessment, participants received pharmacist-led counselling and educational informational leaflet. KAP was reassessed after 1.5 months using the same questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS, with one-way ANOVA and paired t-tests. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Most participants were aged 26-35 years (65.38%), rural residents (62.30%) with high school education (61.54%) and no prior anemia history (80%); most were unemployed (83.84%), multigravida (59.24%), in their third trimester (63.14%), and continued their usual diet (84.62%). Knowledge (1.92±2.70 to 5.16±3.61) and attitude (14.67±2.53 to 15.91±2.48) scores increased significantly (p<0.00001, p=0.00096), while practice scores changed minimally (2.72±0.59 to 2.76±0.58; p=0.08326) post intervention. Knowledge was associated with education (p=0.0406); attitude with age, residence, and parity (p<0.05); and practice with age (p=0.0199). Anemia Mukt Bharat awareness rose from 10% to 60%.

Conclusions Pharmacist-monitored education significantly improved knowledge and attitude towards anemia in pregnancy, though practice change was limited. Integrating pharmacist-led counselling into antenatal care may support sustained behavioural change and anemia prevention.