Knowledge about iron deficiency anemia in mothers of children under one year of age

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency is the most frequent specific micronutrient deficiency in the Cuban population.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about iron deficiency anemia in mothers of children under one year of age.

Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted at "Ramón López Peña" polyclinic. The study population consisted of 352 mothers of children under one year of age, who agreed to participate in the research. A questionnaire was applied for data collection. The variable to be evaluated was level of knowledge.

Results: The main age group of the participants was between 20 and 35 years (60.9%) and mostly married (59.3%). 53.1% of them had pre-university studies and 60.9% have only one child. The level of knowledge about the prevention of iron deficiency anemia according to basic knowledge dimension was high in 54.7% of the mothers, 53% presented low knowledge in relation to preventive measures, and on the treatment, the average level predominated in 54.2% of the casuistry. In general, 38.9% of the mothers presented average knowledge about the prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

Conclusions: Apart from the fact that mothers have a medium to high level of knowledge about the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, health actions should be intensified, aimed at raising nutritional education, as a fundamental element for its prevention.