The results of a study conducted at Caucasus University titled “Pregnant Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Georgia” were published in the influential international refereed journal “Al-Kindy College Medical Journal”.

The authors of the paper are: Professor of the Caucasus University School of Business, Doctor of Medicine Tengiz Verulava, and Master of Public Healthcare, Caucasus University graduate Inga Gogua.

Article Link.

The journal „Al-Kindy College Medical Journal“ is indexed in the SCOPUS International Scientific Database.  

Abstract:

Anemia in pregnancy is a serious global health challenge, particularly affecting developing countries. This study aimed to explore pregnant women's attitudes and perceptions regarding preventing iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The majority of pregnant women (n=22; 84.6%) had some knowledge about IDA and correctly identified its symptoms. However, despite high awareness, most lacked adequate knowledge about the causes and risk factors of IDA. While pregnant women were aware of healthy eating practices, they did not follow a proper diet. Obstacles to healthy eating included limited financial access to food as well as cultural and religious barriers. The majority of pregnant women (n=21; 80.8%) received little information about anemia from their family physicians, indicating a limited role of family doctors in IDA prevention during pregnancy. The findings suggest a weak connection between knowledge of IDA prevention and healthy behavior, contributing significantly to anemia prevalence. To address this issue, it is essential to promote proper nutritional counseling for pregnant women during antenatal care, with a focus on strengthening family doctors' involvement.