Mothers' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Their Children Suffering from Iron Deficiency Anemia during Weaning: An Assessment Study

Abstract: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) presents a significant burden in infancy and childhood, that effect on growth and development. Aim of this study: was to assess mothers’ knowledge and practices regarding their children suffering from iron deficiency anemia during weaning .Design: A descriptive design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: the study was conducted at maternal and child health center in Bab Elsherea, and pediatric outpatient clinic at Sayed Galal hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 160 mothers of children who suffering from iron deficiency anemia during weaning. Tools: Two tools were used to collect the data: Tool(1):A structured interviewing questionnaire to assess mothers’ knowledge about iron deficiency anemia and weaning process, Tool (2): Observational checklist to assess mothers’ reported practices about prevention of iron deficiency anemia among infant during weaning .Result: Most of studied mothers (55%) had poor knowledge about iron deficiency anemia and weaning process .while majority of them (62.5%)had inadequate practices about iron deficiency anemia and weaning process. Conclusion: It can be concluded that mothers had poor knowledge about iron deficiency anemia and weaning process and there was no statistical significant relation between mothers' knowledge about iron deficiency anemia, weaning process and mothers’ characteristics, while there was statistical significant relation between level of mothers’ practice about weaning for their infants with iron deficiency anemia and their age and level of education. Recommendation: Develop instructional guideline for mothers about breast feeding, ideal weaning schedule and care of infants with iron deficiency anemia based on the evolvement of the international evidence based criteria in maternal and child health centers. Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, Weaning, and Children. Title: Mothers’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Their Children Suffering from Iron Deficiency Anemia during Weaning: An Assessment Study Author: Eman Zain Eldeain Abdelfatth, Safaa Salah Ismaiel, Eman Hassan Mahmoud International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing ISSN 2394-7330 Vol. 9, Issue 1, January 2022 - April 2022 Page No: 345-352 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published date: 19-April-2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6470254Novelty Journals (Publisher), Website: www.noveltyjournals.com, International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing, ISSN 2394-733