ABSTRACT

Globally childhood anaemia poses a big health problem to less than five years of age.  Anaemia affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide and about 50% of all children less  than 5 years old. The prevalence of anaemia in children less than 5 years is 67% in  Africa, about, 28% anaemia is found in sub- Saharan Africa.  Purpose of the study was to establish knowledge and practices of mothers towards  prevention of anaemia among children under five years of age in Kitagata Hospital,  Sheema District.  The researcher used a quantitative design and the study was carried out in Paediatric  ward in Kitagata Hospital. Purposive sampling method was used.  Only 45 respondents/mothers/caretakers of children under five years of age diagnosed  by clinicians/doctors as having anaemia and admitted on pediatric ward of Kitagata  hospital were enrolled. Results revealed that 89% (40) said Yes have ever heard of. out  of 40 respondents who have ever heard of anaemia according to the table 4 above show  most respondents’ source of information with 42.2% got from health workers, 35.0%  others (radio, village members), 12.5% older person at home, 10.0% from friends.  Nearly 86% (38) of the respondents reported Yes that their children have ever suffered  from disease causing anaemia while 16% (7) No they never suffered.   The study revealed many respondents ever heard of anaemia but few never heard of  and their sources of information were got from health workers, others (radio, village  members), older person at home, and friends. Health education programs to be done. Knowledge and Practices of Mothers towards prevention of Anaemia among children under five   

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... i

COPYRIGHT ............................................................................................................................ ii

AUTHORIZATION ................................................................................................................. iii

DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................ v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. ix

LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................. xi

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the study ..................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Purpose of the study ............................................................................................................ 4

1.4 Study objectives .................................................................................................................. 4

1.4.1 Main objective ................................................................................................................. 4

1.4.2 Specific objectives ........................................................................................................... 4

1.5 Research questions .............................................................................................................. 4

1.6 Justification of the study ..................................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................... 6

2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 6

2.2 Knowledge of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among children under five years . 6

Knowledge and Practices of Mothers towards prevention of Anaemia among children under five   

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2.3 The practices of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among children under five years .................................................................................................................................................. 9

2.3 Summary of the literature ................................................................................................. 12

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY.................................................................................. 14

3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 14

3.2 Study design and rationale ................................................................................................ 14

3.3 Study setting and rationale ................................................................................................ 14

3.4 Study population ............................................................................................................... 15

3.4.1 Sample size determination ............................................................................................. 15

3.4.2 Sampling procedure ....................................................................................................... 17

3.4.3 Inclusion criteria ............................................................................................................ 17

3.5 Study variables .................................................................................................................. 17

3.5.1 Dependent variable ........................................................................................................ 17

3.5.2 Independent variables .................................................................................................... 18

3.5.3 Confounding variables ................................................................................................... 18

3.6 Research instruments ........................................................................................................ 18

3.7 Data collection procedures ................................................................................................ 18

3.7.1 Data management ........................................................................................................... 19

3.7.2 Data analysis and presentation ....................................................................................... 19

3.8 Ethical considerations ....................................................................................................... 19

3.10 Limitations of the study .................................................................................................. 20

3.10 Dissemination of results .................................................................................................. 20

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND FINDINGS ..................................................................... 21

4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 21

4.2 Socio-demographic characteristics respondents ............................................................... 21

4.3 Knowledge of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among children under five years 24

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4.4 The practice of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among under five years ............ 28

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 32

5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 32

5.2 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 32

5.2.1 Socio-demographic characteristics respondents ............................................................ 32

5.2.2 Knowledge of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among children under five years ................................................................................................................................................ 33

5.2.3 The practice of mothers towards prevention of anaemia among under five years ......... 35

5.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 36

5.4 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 36

5.4.1 Further research topic .................................................................................................... 37

5.5 Implications to Nursing Practice ....................................................................................... 37

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 38

APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................... 42

Appendix I: Consent Form ...................................................................................................... 42

Appendix II: Questionnaire ..................................................................................................... 44

Appendix III: Letter of Approval ............................................................................................ 48

Appendix IV: A map of Uganda showing location of Sheema District .................................. 50

Appendix V: A map of Sheema district showing location of Kitagata hospital IV ................ 51