Introduction: Anaemia is a condition that affects a significant number of children under the age of five in Nigeria. The perception, knowledge, and health-seeking behaviours of mothers can play a crucial role in the early detection and management of childhood anaemia. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the perception, knowledge, and health-seeking behavior of mothers towards childhood anaemia in Ondo, South-West, Nigeria.
Method: The study was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo. Pre-tested standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on maternal perception, knowledge, and health-seeking behaviour of 384 mothers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Results: Most of the mothers have good knowledge, perception and health-seeking behaviour towards childhood anaemia, with mean scores of 19.6, 41.9 and 25.5 respectively. Knowledge about causes, symptoms, consequences, and prevention of anaemia was lowest in the youngest group of women (18-29yrs). Maternal knowledge, perception, and health-seeking behaviour in general, increased with age. Age, level of education, and religion, were associated with maternal knowledge and perception (p values <0.05). Concerns for the impact of the disease on the family, influence of what friends and relatives expect one to do and knowledge of what to do were the significant predictors of health-seeking behaviour of the mothers.
Conclusion: Overall, the study highlights the need for targeted health education programs towards improving maternal knowledge and health-seeking behaviors of childhood anaemia in Nigeria; this would lead to early detection and management of the disease, thus reducing associated morbidity and mortality.