Publication:

Impact of educational intervention regarding anaemia and its preventive measures among pregnant women: an interventional study

Background Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in pregnancy and major contributory factor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective of present study was to assess knowledge of pregnant women regarding anaemia and its preventive measures before and after educational interventional training.

Methods The present study was an interventional study undertaken in purposively selected pregnant women attending the out patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar During the month of October 2017. Total 100 pregnant women were included after written informed consent. Baseline knowledge of pregnant women regarding anaemia and its preventive measures was assessed by pre-designed, pre-tested and semi structured questionnaire. Single educational interventional training for 45 minutes was given to selected pregnant women. Post– intervention knowledge of pregnant women for the same was assessed after training. Thus, collected data was analyzed /using Epi info 7.

Results Baseline knowledge of the pregnant women regarding causes, signs and symptoms of anemia and dietary sources of iron was 21%, 23% and 40% respectively which was significantly increased to 64%, 66% and 72% respectively after the intervention. Baseline knowledge of the pregnant women regarding factors which inhibit and increase iron absorption was 25% and 4% respectively which was significantly increased to 55% and 41 % respectively after the intervention. Baseline knowledge of the pregnant women regarding treatment of anaemia was 30% which was significantly increased to 79 % after the intervention.

Conclusions There was significant improvement in the knowledge regarding anaemia and its preventive measures among pregnant women after our single educational session.