Knowledge, Attitudes, and Nutrition Practices of Anemic College Females

Abstract

Context: The development of correct knowledge, appropriate practice and health-seeking behaviors, and acquiring a positive attitude towards anemia are essential for anemic' females to reach a healthy lifestyle and become free from serious complications secondary to anemia.
Aim: Thisstudyaimedtoassessknowledge,attitudes,andnutritionpracticesamonganemic'college'females.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in Medical Clinics, Students' University Hospital on a purposive non-probability sample of (370) college females included in this study. Data collection tools were self-administered questionnaires that covered: knowledge, attitudes, health-seeking behavior, and nutrition practices regarding anemia.
Results: The current study revealed that most participants had incorrect knowledge regarding iron nutrition, incorrect knowledge about anemia as a disease, and incorrect practice (94.1%, 65%, and 87.8%), respectively. A minority of them had a positive attitude toward anemia (13.8%), while more than half of them had a neutral attitude toward anemia (58.60%).

Conclusion: The study concluded that participants' knowledge and nutrition practices were incorrect while their attitudes regarding anemia were neutral. The study recommended the necessity of conducting a comprehensive survey of anemic females at the university stage for providing an educational program about anemia. Besides, there is a need for conducting the study on a larger probability sample of college females in different geographical settings.