Perception of and Adherent to Anaemia Preventive Strategies among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Selected Hospitals in Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the perception of and adherence to anaemia preventive strategies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted in this study. The accidental sampling technique was adopted in selecting the 598 respondents sampled for the study from the population. A validated 20 items four-point modified Likert scale questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The face and content validity of the instrument was established by experts. The reliability estimates of 0.86 of the instruments were established using the test-retest method. Multiple linear regression statistical tools were used to test the hypothesis formulated for the study. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The results obtained from the data analysis revealed that there is a significant influence of the predictor variables (perception of and adherence to anaemia preventive strategies) among pregnant women attending ante natal clinics in selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The finding concludes that there is a significant influence of the predictor variables (perception of and adherence to anaemia preventive strategies) among pregnant women attending ante natal clinics in selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the finding of the study it was recommended that the presence of low knowledge and adherence to anaemia prevention suggests the need for an intensification of education on anaemia and its prevention strategies by health professionals and collaborators at all levels of health delivery services to all women in reproductive age. This should include more education and sensitization on good nutritional practices in the diet of pregnant women.