Knowledge and Practice Gaps in Anaemia Prevention and Management Among Patients and Health Providers in Northern Ghana: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Despite diverse national interventions, anaemia persists as a major public health burden in Ghana, with disproportionately high prevalence in the Northern Region. This persistence is driven by systemic inequities including limited healthcare access, socioeconomic deprivation, and cultural barriers that impede effective prevention and management. This comparative study assessed disparities in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) between patients and healthcare providers regarding anaemia prevention and management, highlighting critical gaps in current understanding.

AIM: The study aimed to: (1) assess and compare KAP levels between patients and healthcare providers, (2) detect fundamental misconceptions affecting the management of anaemia, and (3) highlight any associations between anaemia prevalence and KAP variables among participants.

METHODS

This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted across three healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana, involving 299 participants (141 healthcare providers and 158 patients). Structured questionnaires assessed KAP domains, and haemoglobin measurements determined anaemia status. χ 2 tests evaluated bivariate associations, while multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of anaemia, adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral confounders. The comparative approach enabled identification of provider-patient knowledge gaps to inform targeted interventions.

RESULTS

Healthcare providers demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels, with 94.3% understanding anaemia's pathophysiological basis compared to 60.8% of patients (p = 0.004). Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher among patients (54.4%) compared to healthcare providers (33.3%; χ² = 13.45, p < 0.001). Key misconceptions persisted among patients, including beliefs that anaemia is contagious (8.9%) or spiritual (29.7%). Non-health workers had lower adjusted odds of anaemia compared with health workers (aOR = 0.344, 95% CI: 0.184-0.641, p < 0.001). Participants with good attitudes and practices also had lower odds of anaemia (aOR = 0.549, 95% CI: 0.326-0.924, p = 0.024). Other variables including age, sex, marital status, education, region of residence, and history-related factors were not significantly associated with anaemia in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant KAP disparities exist between healthcare providers and patients, with patient knowledge gaps and misconceptions substantially hindering anaemia prevention and management in Northern Ghana. Evidence-based interventions should strengthen patient-centered education programs, provide economic support for nutritional access, and implement continuous professional development for healthcare workers. Integration of these strategies into Ghana's Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) program could significantly reduce the anaemia burden in resource-limited settings.