Risk factors of anaemia among postpartum women in Bolgatanga Municipality, Ghana

Table 3 Knowledge of postpartum women on IFA, iron and anaemia (n = 405)

Variable category	Frequency	Percent
Knowledge of benefits of IFA
Protects mother from sicknesses	184	45.4
Gives mother strength during delivery	183	45.2
Increases amount of blood	195	48.1
Makes foetus grow healthy and strong	187	46.2
Frequency of intake of IFA	205	50.6
Duration of intake of IFA	208	51.4
Knowledge of side effects of IFA
Epigastric pain	134	33.1
Abdominal pain	134	33.1
Nausea	135	33.3
Vomiting	135	33.3
Diarrhoea	133	32.8
Constipation	133	32.8
Faeces may turn black	164	40.5
Knowledge on managing the side effects of IFA
Take IFAS with meals	154	38.0
Take IFAS while going to bed	153	37.8
Knowledge of consequences of IFA deficiency
Excessive bleeding during pregnancy/delivery	164	40.5
Low birth weight baby	166	41.0
Preterm baby	165	40.7
IFA knowledge index
Low	243	60.0
High	162	40.0
Knowledge of rich sources of iron
Liver	168	41.5
Red meat e.g. beef	170	42.0
White meat e.g. chicken, fish	164	40.5
Dark-green leafy vegetables	169	41.7
Legumes e.g. beans, peas	176	43.5
Eggs	175	43.2
Iron knowledge index
Low	232	57.3
High	173	42.7
Knowledge of signs/symptoms of anaemia
Looks pale	179	44.2
Palpitations	165	40.7
Headaches	167	41.2
Dizziness	172	42.5
Tiredness and easily fatigued	164	40.5
Swells legs	165	40.7
Anaemia knowledge index
Low	234	57.8
High	171	42.2
IFA, iron and anaemia knowledge index
Low	239	59.0
High	166	41.0