Maternal Knowledge and Practices Regarding Childhood Anemia in Cameroon: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Anemia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 in Cameroon. This study aimed to assess whether mothers’ knowledge of children aged 6 to 59 months about the causes and prevention of anemia influences their practices. Methods: 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 <65%, and practices were considered harmful if the rate of correct answers for practice questions was <50%. Fisher’s Mid-P exact test was used to compare proportions, and logistic regression was used to determine the association between knowledge level and practices. Results: 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 < 0.05) or secondary (RR = 2.731; CI = [1.790 - 4.166], p < 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 < 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 < 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of their child’s anemia influences their practices, and this knowledge needs to be improved to optimize them.