ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY - PERCEPTIONS OF PATIENTS IN DAR-ES-SALAAM

This study was performed to assess the pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes towards anaemia, its causes, prophylaxis, and treatment and to describe existing problems with interventions for anaemia in antena tal clinics. A total of 310 women were interviewed from three MCA-clin ics in suburban Dar es-Salaam Anaemia was considered a major problem b y 88% and 75%, respectively in the two peripheral MCH clinics, but by only 44% of attenders in the hospital MCH clinic. Over 85% of intervie wees were aware of the causes of and ways of preventing anaemia. The m ost frequently mentioned cause of anaemia were related to nutrition wh ile Intestinal parasites was mentioned by a few women. Only 5% believe d that anaemia might not be dangerous for the mother. In all three cli nics more than 90% were aware of the advantages of early booking for a ntenatal care. None of the mothers had received any ferrous supplement s during the current pregnancy, and only a minority (38%) in the previ ous pregnancy though 40% of them said they were informed they had anae mia in the previous pregnancy. Side effects were not reported as a rea son for non-compliance. Thus, mothers were aware that anaemia is a hea lth problem in pregnancy. They would accept effective intervention if they were offered them. The irregular and inadequate supply of haemati nics to antenatal clinics is a far more important obstacle to the impl ementation of the anaemia prevention programme than the knowledge and attitudes of the mothers.