Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Academia Open

Medicine

Vol 9 No 1 (2024): June

Bridging the Knowledge Gap on Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Nursing Students
Menjembatani Kesenjangan Pengetahuan tentang Anemia Defisiensi Besi di Kalangan Mahasiswa Keperawatan



(*) Corresponding Author
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.9.2024.10283
Published
June 9, 2024

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional disorder characterized by a significant reduction in the body’s iron stores, affecting oxygen transport and leading to various health complications. Specific Background: The understanding of IDA among nursing students is underdeveloped, especially regarding the differences between morning and evening study cohorts. Knowledge Gap: Understanding nursing students' knowledge of IDA is critical for enhancing educational strategies and improving patient care, yet limited studies have assessed this demographic's awareness of the condition and its management. Aims: This study aims to evaluate nursing students' knowledge about IDA and to compare the levels of knowledge between morning and evening students at the College of Nursing, University of Basrah, over a six-month period from November 2023 to March 2024. Results: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 145 students (72 morning and 73 evening) who completed a questionnaire. Results indicated that 40.2% of morning students and 53.4% of evening students suffered from iron deficiency. While 86.1% of morning students had prior knowledge of IDA compared to 67.1% of evening students, the mean knowledge levels were deemed good for both groups, with no significant statistical difference between them. Novelty: This research contributes to the existing literature by highlighting knowledge levels of IDA among nursing students in Iraq, revealing that both morning and evening cohorts possess substantial understanding yet exhibit slight discrepancies. Implications: The findings underscore the necessity for targeted educational interventions to bridge the knowledge gap regarding IDA, ultimately enhancing nursing students' competencies in managing this condition in clinical settings.

Highlights:

 

  1. IDA Prevalence: 40.2% morning students and 53.4% evening students affected.
  2. Knowledge Difference: 86.1% morning vs. 67.1% evening students aware of IDA.
  3. Educational Need: Targeted interventions required for improved IDA management in nursing education.

 

Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, nursing students, knowledge assessment, educational interventions, Iraq

References

  1. A. Purwar and V. Anjankar, "Prevalence of Anaemia in Females of Reproductive Age Group," Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, vol. 33, pp. 3292-3298, 2021.
  2. S. T. Chou, M. Alsawas, R. M. Fasano, J. J. Field, J. E. Hendrickson, J. Howard, et al., "American Society of Hematology 2020 Guidelines for Sickle Cell Disease: Transfusion Support," Blood Advances, vol. 4, pp. 327-355, 2020.
  3. K. K. Sukla, R. Nagar, and R. Raman, "Vitamin-B12 and Folate Deficiency: Major Contributing Factors for Anemia: A Population-Based Study," e-SPEN Journal, vol. 9, pp. e45-e48, 2014.
  4. N. Petry, B. Jallow, Y. Sawo, M. K. Darboe, S. Barrow, A. Sarr, et al., "Micronutrient Deficiencies, Nutritional Status and the Determinants of Anemia in Children 0–59 Months of Age and Non-Pregnant Women of Reproductive Age in The Gambia," Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 10, p. 2275, 2019.
  5. A. J. Cox, "The Effects of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy," 2016.
  6. N. Abbaspour, R. Hurrell, and R. Kelishadi, "Review on Iron and Its Importance for Human Health," Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, vol. 19, no. 2, p. 164, 2014.
  7. C. Camaschella, "Iron-Deficiency Anemia," New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 372, pp. 1832-1843, 2015.
  8. UNICEF and WHO, "Iron Deficiency Anemia: Assessment, Prevention, and Control: A Guide for Program Managers," WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2001.
  9. N. J. Kassebaum, R. Jasrasaria, M. Naghavi, S. K. Wulf, N. Johns, R. Lozano, et al., "A Systematic Analysis of Global Anemia Burden from 1990 to 2010," Blood, vol. 123, pp. 615-624, 2014.
  10. H. Gulmez, Y. Akin, M. Savas, M. Gulum, H. Ciftci, S. Yalcinkaya, et al., "Impact of Iron Supplementation on Sexual Dysfunction of Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia in Short Term: A Preliminary Study," The Journal of Sexual Medicine, vol. 11, pp. 1042-1046, 2014.
  11. A. M. Tiryag and H. H. Atiyah, "Nurses' Knowledge Toward Obesity in Al-Basra City," Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, vol. 25, pp. 4667-4673, 2021.
  12. J. P. McClung and L. E. Murray-Kolb, "Iron Nutrition and Premenopausal Women: Effects of Poor Iron Status on Physical and Neuropsychological Performance," Annual Review of Nutrition, vol. 33, pp. 271-288, 2013.
  13. R. J. Stoltzfus, "Iron Deficiency: Global Prevalence and Consequences," Food and Nutrition Bulletin, vol. 24, pp. S99-S103, 2003.
  14. J. D. Haas and T. Brownlie IV, "Iron Deficiency and Reduced Work Capacity: A Critical Review of the Research to Determine a Causal Relationship," The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 131, pp. 676S-690S, 2001.
  15. E. L. Congdon, A. Westerlund, C. R. Algarin, P. D. Peirano, M. Gregas, B. Lozoff, et al., "Iron Deficiency in Infancy is Associated with Altered Neural Correlates of Recognition Memory at 10 Years," The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 160, pp. 1027-1033, 2012.
  16. C. Pramana and Y. Merida, "Penyuluhan Pemberian Tablet Fe pada Remaja di SMK Kesehatan Lhokseumawe," NGABDI: Scientific Journal of Community Services, vol. 2, pp. 41-50, 2024.
  17. M. Alhatemi and D. Haroun, "Knowledge and Awareness of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Female Students in Dubai," Journal of Health Education Research & Development, vol. 41, no. 2, 2023.
  18. M. Alhatami and D. Haroun, "Knowledge and Awareness of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Female Students in Dubai," Preprint, Google Scholar, Dubai, 2023.
  19. A. M. Tiryag and H. H. Atiyah, "Nurses’ Knowledge Toward Bariatric Surgery at Surgical Wards at Teaching Hospitals in Al-Basra City," Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, vol. 15, pp. 5152-5159, 2021.
  20. R. Mohamed Abdallh Ali, N. Ahmed AbdEl-Aziz, and S. Mohamed Sayed, "Life Style of Female Students Nurses with Iron Deficiency Anemia," Egyptian Journal of Health Care, vol. 13, pp. 982-996, 2022.
  21. N. A. Abd El-Aziz et al., "Life Style of Female Students Nurses with Iron Deficiency Anemia," Egyptian Journal of Health Care, vol. 13, 2022.
  22. N. Natour, M. Al Tell, and M. Shakhshir, "Knowledge on Anemia Causes and Associated Risks Improve with Education and Better Socioeconomic Standards among Students of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Other Allied Health Professions in Palestinian Territories," International Journal of Medicine and Health Research, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 25-30, 2022.
  23. N. N. et al., "Knowledge on Anemia Causes and Associated Risks Improve with Education and Better Socioeconomic Standards among Students of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing and Other Allied Health Professions in Palestinian Territories," Palestine Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 6, 2022.
  24. M. T. Koeryaman et al., "Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitude on Consumption of Iron Supplement," Journal of Nursing Practice, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 118-124, 2018.
  25. P. R. Relacion, M. M. C. Ordoñez, G. K. Q. Robles, D. T. D. Nañasca, S. N. G. Magbuhat, I. C. G. Nocedo, et al., "Awareness and Knowledge on Iron Deficiency Anemia and Associated Factors among College Students Attending Universities in Metro Manila, Philippines," International Journal of Progressive Research in Science and Engineering, vol. 2, pp. 607-619, 2021.
  26. P. R. Relacion, "Awareness and Knowledge on Iron Deficiency Anemia and Associated Factors among College Students Attending Universities in Metro Manila, Philippines," International Journal of Progressive Research in Science and Engineering, vol. 2, 2021.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.