Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Misconceptions Regarding Vitamins in Blood Metabolism and Anemia Among...

In Sub-Saharan Africa, anemia is a significant public health issue, affecting individuals of all ages. While prevention efforts focus on infants, children, and pregnant women, adolescents are overlooked often, leading to ongoing challenges. Despite its prevalence, there is a paucity of research on anemia in adults, particularly university students in Ghana. Studying this demographic can improve understanding and inform public health interventions, addressing the unique needs of university populations and ultimately reducing the burden of anemia.

The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of newly admitted university students regarding the importance of vitamins in blood formation, renewal, and function. This study targeted newly admitted university students, as they represent a transitional group from adolescence to young adulthood, often experiencing changes in dietary patterns, living arrangements, and lifestyle that may predispose them to nutritional deficiencies and anemia.

This study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. About 300 newly admitted students undergoing routine medical screening at the University Hospital were recruited. Data regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices, as well as misconceptions of participants were obtained using a structured questionnaire, whereas clinical data were obtained from their medical records.

Among the 300 participants, anemia prevalence was 40.0%, with 45.3% demonstrating good knowledge and 50.7% positive attitudes and practices. Knowledge differed significantly by program of study (p = 0.03), while misconceptions such as believing that 'men by default have higher vitamin needs' were strongly associated with anemia (aOR = 2.29, p = 0.022).

While nearly half demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes and practices, misconceptions, particularly gender-based beliefs, significantly increased anemia risk. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, campus-based nutrition education that not only improves knowledge but also actively corrects misconceptions to reduce anemia burden.