Knowledge and Awareness of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Young Adults: Implications for Public Health Education

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly among young adults who may be at risk due to dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and limited health awareness. Understanding the level of knowledge and awareness regarding IDA is essential in supporting preventive health education initiatives among students in higher education institutions. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and awareness of IDA among Diploma in Pharmacy students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pulau Pinang, Bertam Campus, and to examine their associations with demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from May to June 2024 using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of three sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge of IDA, and awareness of IDA. Data from 138 respondents were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Majority of the respondents were female (83.3%), aged between 18 and 22 years old (94.9%), and first-year students (37.7%). More than half of the respondents reported having no family members with medical backgrounds, while 71% had never been diagnosed with IDA. Overall, most respondents demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge (40.6%) and awareness (46.4%) regarding IDA. Semester of study significantly influenced knowledge levels, while age showed a significant association with awareness levels. In addition, a weak but significant positive correlation was observed between knowledge and awareness scores. The findings indicate that although students possess moderate awareness of IDA, important gaps in health literacy remain. Strengthening public health education initiatives within higher education settings may help improve awareness and promote early prevention of IDA among young adults.

iron deficiency anemia, public health education, health literacy, young adults

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