Abstract:
The study sought to investigate the factors influencing anaemia among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Nkwanta North and Adaklu
Districts. The conceptual framework was deduced from Pender Health
Promotion Model. A longitudinal retrospective and prospective study was
conducted involving 300 pregnant women from the two districts. A
questionnaire was used to collect the data and the data were analysed using
frequencies, percentages and logistic regression. Findings revealed that the
prevalence of maternal anaemia in the Nkwanta North and Adaklu Districts
were 68% and 78% respectively. On knowledge, 91% of the pregnant women
had excellent knowledge on anaemia in pregnancy. Long distance to the
healthcare facilities was a barrier. In the Nkwanta North District, mature
pregnant women, divorced pregnant women, pregnant women with obstetric
history of 2 to 3 pregnancies, those with no formal education, monthly income
higher than GHS500.00 were significant predictors of the anaemic status
during pregnancy. In Adaklu District, mature pregnant woman, divorced
pregnant women, pregnant women with obstetric history of 2 to 3 pregnancies,
those without formal education, monthly income higher than GHS500.00 were
significant predictors of the anaemic status during pregnancy. It is
recommended that the health authorities in the two districts must go beyond
education to advocate and monitor pregnant women to help translate
knowledge into practice. Also, educated and relatively rich pregnant women
must be counselled on the need to adhere to instructions given at ANCs so as
to reduce their anaemic prevalence.
