Mothers’ Awareness regarding Risk Factors about Iron Deficiency Anemia during Infancy period.

Refat Ali Harb, Heba; Mohamed Sobhy Elsayed, Doaa; Atta Mohamed Ahmed, Wafaa

doi:10.21608/jnsbu.2025.409162

Mothers’ Awareness regarding Risk Factors about Iron Deficiency Anemia during Infancy period.

Authors

¹ Specialist Nursing at Met Kenana Secondary Nursing School

² Professor of Community Health Nursing- Faculty of Nursing-Benha University

³ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing Faculty of Nursing-Benha University.

10.21608/jnsbu.2025.409162

Abstract

Background: The anemic condition is commonly experienced in infancy globally. Lack of essential iron in children contributes to anemia that has been recognized to great challenges. The aim of the study: This study aimed to assess mothers’ awareness regarding risk factors about iron deficiency anemia during infancy period. Research design: A descriptive research design was utilized. Setting: Maternal and Child Health Center in Benha City. Study subjects: Simple random sample was used, including 382 mothers. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used; Tool (I): Structured interviewing: it comprised of four parts: I: Socio-demographic characteristics, medical history of studied mothers, and personal characteristics of studied children, II: Risk factors for iron deficiency anemia during infancy period, III: Knowledge of the studied mothers regarding iron deficiency anemia and IV: Reported practice of mothers regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Tool (II): Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to assess mothers' attitude regarding iron deficiency anemia. Results: The results of the current study showed that 50.8% of the studied infants had total risk factors related to their mothers, and 48% related to infant weaning. 61% of the studied mothers had poor total knowledge level. Also, 65% of them had unsatisfactory total reported practices regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia during infancy period. Moreover, 56% of them had negative total attitude toward iron deficiency Conclusion: There were highly statistically significant positive correlations between mothers’ total knowledge, total reported practices, and their total attitude (P=0.000). Recommendations: Periodic educational programs should be designed for mothers’ regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia during infancy period.

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