Pregnant women knowledge of nutritional iron deficiency anemia in Al-Baha area

-Iron deficiency (ID) is the leading single nutrient deficiency in the world. Maternal IDA has been linked to higher risk of low birth weight, preterm delivery and infant IDA, which in turn can permanently impair intelligence, motor and behavioral development, and increase risk of future IDA in the offspring. During pregnancy, the maternal body requirement for iron increases to approximately 1000 mg on average. The aims of this study are to determine how is the knowledge of participants toward the risk of iron-deficiency anemia. And the effect of education and occupation in total knowledge of participants.This study was done in 5 Primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Al-Baha area over two weeks from 24th April to 6th of May 2016. 66 pregnant patients were recruited and participated. Participants were from all parts of the community. This study exposed a defect in the health policy and defect in the education of women in the area. Iron supplementation for pregnant women should be individualized according to their iron status. Appropriate diet education is needed for pregnant women so that they can consume adequate amounts of iron from food and supplements.