%0 Journal Article
%T Maternal Knowledge and Practices Regarding Childhood Anemia in Cameroon: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
%A Dominique Enyama
%A Diom&#232
%A de Noukeu Njinkui
%A Daniel Armand Kago Tague
%A Fran&#231
%A ois Pakagne Katchibe
%A Arielle Annick Sime Tchouamo
%A Palma Haoua Abouame
%A Marie Christine Atyam Ekoto
%A Cavin Epie Bekolo
%A Bruno Kenfack
%J Open Journal of Pediatrics
%P 397-413
%@ 2160-8776
%D 2025
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojped.2025.153038
%X <b>Introduction:</b> Anemia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 in Cameroon. This study aimed to assess whether mothers&#8217; knowledge of children aged 6 to 59 months about the causes and prevention of anemia influences their practices. <b>Methods:</b> This study employed a cross-sectional design with both descriptive and analytical components to investigate the impact of knowledge on practices. A questionnaire was administered during an interview to all mothers of children aged 6 to 59 months attending the selected services. Knowledge was poor or insufficient if the percentage of correct answers for knowledge questions was &lt;65%, and practices were considered harmful if the rate of correct answers for practice questions was &lt;50%. Fisher&#8217;s Mid-P exact test was used to compare proportions, and logistic regression was used to determine the association between knowledge level and practices. <b>Results: </b>In our study, 436 mothers were approached, 31 refused participation, and 405 (92.9%) agreed to participate. Our study showed that having a primary (RR = 6.558; CI = [2.165 - 19.86], p &lt; 0.05) or secondary (RR = 2.731; CI = [1.790 - 4.166], p &lt; 0.05) level of education increased the risk of having poor or insufficient knowledge, while having a higher level of education (RR = 0.219; CI = [0.137 - 0.351]; p &lt; 0.05) or a child who suffered from anemia (RR = 0.430; CI = [0.231 - 0.802], p = 0.008) decreased the risk of having poor or insufficient knowledge. Poor and inadequate knowledge was associated with harmful practices (RR = 83.79; CI = [39.33 - 178.51]; p &lt; 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Mothers&#8217; knowledge of their child&#8217;s anemia influences their practices, and this knowledge needs to be improved to optimize them.
%K Knowledge
%K Practices
%K Anemia
%K Children
%K Mothers
%K Cameroon
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=142924