Abd Kadir, Nurulhuda (2021) Knowledge And Perception Of Oral Iron Intake Among Pregnant Women At Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
![[img]](http://eprints.usm.my/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png) |
PDF
Download (523kB) |
Abstract
Background: Adherence to oral iron therapy is the primary factor in reducing the incidence of anaemia in pregnancy. Knowledge and perception of oral iron intake have been shown to affect compliance with oral iron therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of oral iron intake among pregnant women at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 410 pregnant women attending the Obstetrics Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 1st October 2019 until 27th February 2020. The study used a structured, and validated questionnaire consisting of 54 items including sociodemographic profile, obstetrics and iron supplementation details, knowledge and perception of oral iron consumption. The knowledge score was categorised as good or poor, depending on the response to the core knowledge items. The perception score was not categorised into good or poor, but the items were analysed individually. Results: Of the 410 distributed questionnaires, 389 were accepted for further analysis. The majority (90.7%) had poor knowledge, and only 9.3% of pregnant women had good knowledge. Less than 50% were aware that oral iron supplements should be resumed up to six weeks postpartum. Merely 36.8% knew that milk would not help in iron absorption, and only 10% knew that abdominal pain is one of the side effects of oral iron supplements. Less than one-third knew that tofu and potatoes have high iron content. Age, educational level, maternal gravidity, history of oral iron intake and compliance status (missed iron pills more than seven days) were significantly associated with knowledge score (p ≤ 0.05). A proportion of the respondents strongly agreed or agreed that oral iron supplements should be taken during early pregnancy (10.5%) and by anaemic pregnant women (15%) only. Besides, 24.7% of the pregnant women strongly agreed or agreed that oral iron supplements could be stopped if the haemoglobin concentration achieves normal range. One variable which is aware of their haemoglobin level was significantly associated with the perception score (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Poor knowledge and misperception of oral iron intake in pregnant women have been established. Effective counselling and educational programmes on oral iron supplementation should be initiated to improve awareness among pregnant women.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine |
| Divisions: | Institut Perubatan & Pergigian Termaju (Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI)) > Thesis |
| Depositing User: | NOR HASHIMY BIN ABDULLAH |
| Date Deposited: | 13 May 2026 01:57 |
| Last Modified: | 13 May 2026 01:57 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64175 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
