Exploring Contributing Factors of Anemia Among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care in Public Health Facilities in Waliso Town of South West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2023, Pure Qualitative Study

Background: Anemia is a condition in which the number and size of red blood cells, or the hemoglobin concentration, fall below an established cut-off value. Anemia during pregnancy is defined as a hemoglobin concentration less than 11g/dL and a hematocrit less than 33%. It is a worldwide disease that mostly affects women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore contributing factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care (ANC) follow-up in Public Health facilities in Waliso Town. Objective: To explore contributing factors of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Public Health facilities in Waliso Town of South West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 13 mothers from April 15 to May 20, 2022. Purposive sampling technique was used to select mothers for face-to-face in-depth interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically by transcribing recorded audio and notes taken during the interviews manually. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Finally, the results of this study were presented by using text, tables, and charts. Results: Seven sub-themes were formed based on similarities of moms` opinions. Then, the sub-theme was merged, and three main themes were formed. The main themes were the history of diseases, Lack of nutritional counselling, and eating less diverse, and inadequate Iron counselling, and supplementation. Conclusion and Recommendation: The contributing factors of anemia among pregnant mothers were a history of diseases, lack of nutritional counselling, and eating less diverse, and inadequate Iron counselling, and supplementation. Health Facility managers give health education on nutritional, and iron taking counselling for pregnant women, and Health care providers work hard to screen, and take appropriate interventions for pregnant women with a history of disease like malaria, anemia, and chronic of disease to reduce the vulnerability of women to anemia. It is better to give adequate information, and counseling on nutrition and iron intake.