Women Perception about Iron Deficiency Anaemia and its Management

Abstract

Iron deficiency is most common of all the nutritional deficiencies encountered worldwide. According to an estimate, around two billion people suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. The true incidence of anemia is difficult to calculate worldwide because of epidemiologic differences. The calculated incidence is 23% and 52% in developed countries and developing countries respectively. The objective of this study was to assess about the awareness of anemia among pregnant anemic patients and the factors associated with severity of the disease so that it can be lowered and the complications associated with this disease can be dealt. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Aitchison Hospital, Lahore. Duration of study was three months from 01/01/2020 to 31-03/2020. Sample size of 180 cases was calculated with 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error and taking expected percentage of knowledge. 180 females fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. A predesigned Questionnaire evaluated the perception about iron deficiency anaemia and its management. This study concluded that development of timely intervention frameworks, epidemiological details are very important. This study will help the health specialists and policymakers to analyze this dichotomy regarding the heterogeneity of anemia into a single entity and to initiate health awareness programs and strategies to further reduce anemia burden especially in current setup. Iron deficiency is most common of all the nutritional deficiencies encountered worldwide. According to an estimate, around two billion people suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. The true incidence of anemia is difficult to calculate worldwide because of epidemiologic differences. The calculated incidence is 23% and 52% in developed countries and developing countries respectively. The objective of this study was to assess about the awareness of anemia among pregnant anemic patients and the factors associated with severity of the disease so that it can be decreased and the complications associated with this disease can be dealt. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Aitchison Hospital, Lahore Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit II, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit II, Sir Gamga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pathology Department Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore. Duration of study was 10 weeks from 15/01/2023 to 01/04/2023. Sample size of 180 cases was calculated with 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error and taking expected percentage of knowledge. 180 females fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. A predesigned Questionnaire evaluated the perception about iron deficiency anaemia and its management. This study concluded that development of timely intervention frameworks, epidemiological details are very important. This study will help the health specialists and policymakers to analyze this dichotomy regarding the heterogeneity of anemia into a single entity and to initiate health awareness programs and strategies to further reduce anemia burden especially in current setup.