CHAPTER FOUR

ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Introduction

This section of this report comments on the results of the survey, procedure and processes used

for the data analysis as well as the final results. Initial part of the chapter comments on the

demographic data of the respondents as well as the validity of the responses. The later part of this

chapter gives more details of the analysis as well as the results obtained by examining the

response to each questions.

The research team defined clients’ response of ‘Yes’ as ‘positive’ response. Any other response

including ‘No’ and ‘Don’t know’ is negative. ‘Positive’ is taken as an acceptable result that

patients have good knowledge on the causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of the illness

anaemia while ‘negative’ is for the patients who do not have good knowledge on the causes,

signs and symptoms and prevention of the illness anaemia. Do not know is included because the

research team believes that patients with prior knowledge of anaemia will be more willing to

respond if they knew.

4.2 Valid and Invalid Responses

As explained in chapter three of the report, the questionnaire was divided into four sections.

Each response was then coded as explained about 212 responses were collected from the primary

data source, about 210 were considered as valid for the purpose of this study. The reasons for

rejecting some of the responses are given below.

One of the responses was rejected because the respondent did not provide information on their

knowledge on the causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of anaemia. The remaining one

was rejected because the respondent answered only few of the questions and in some cases

provided multiple answers to single question that is entries were wrongly made.

4.3 Demographics of Mothers and Children

 Figure 4.1: Respondents Age

Figure 4.1 shows the age profile of the respondents. Majority of the respondents (141) are

mothers between the ages of 21 and 30 years, followed by mothers aged between 31 and 40 years

(64), mothers aged below 20 years (3) and those above 40 years (2).

Figure 4.2: Educational Levels of Respondents

Figure 4.2 illustrates the educational level of the respondents. It is clear that about ninety – five

(94.8%) of total respondents have some form of formal education from primary to tertiary

education. 9.5% of respondents have had primary, respondents with secondary education form

39% of the total respondents. Majority of the respondents (43.8%) have had tertiary education.

Figure 4.3: Number of children of respondents

Figure 4.3 shows clearly the number of children of respondents. This result depicts that ninety –

eight (97.6%) of respondents have between one and four children, 86 (41%) of total respondents

having only one child. 2.4% of the respondents has above five children.

Figure 4.4: Sex of children of respondents

Figure 4.4 shows the gender profile the children of respondents. More than half of the children

(113) were females and the remaining ninety – seven (97) were male children.

Figure 4.5: Age of children of respondents

The figure 4.5 aboves gives an insight into age report of the children of the respondents. Children

below 12 months form the greater part (74.3) of the children of respondents. This group is

followed by children between 13 and 24 months forming 20.5%. Only three children (1.5%) of

the total number of children were between 37 and 60 months.

4.4 Causes of anaemia or ‘low blood’

Iron deficiency is thought to be the most common cause of anaemia globally, although other

conditions, such as folate, vitamins B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation,

parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all cause anaemia.

In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Pregnant

women and children are particularly vulnerable.

Figure 4.6: Previous information of respondents on anaemia

Figure 4.1 is pie chart presentations of respondents previous information on anaemia. This study

shows that of the valid responses, there was generally high level of knowledge of the causes of

anaemia. In fact 81.4% have had some information on anaemia which is considered positive for

the purpose of this research work while the remaining 18.6% of the respondent have no

information on anaemia. This may be attributed to the level of education of respondents which

was at a very high level.

Figure 4.7: Source of information on anaemia

Respondent’s information on anaemia as shown in Figure 4.7 comes from a wide range of

sources from health personnel/clinic through several sources including the media and from others

sources. Most of the respondent’s (36.2%) information is obtained from health personnel/clinic

while information from published material (magazines) forms only 0.5%.

 Figure 4.8: Do you think the following are the causes of anaemia?

Figure 4.8 shows a summary of respondent’s idea on the listed that causes anaemia.

It must be noted that ‘Yes’ is considered as ‘positive’ response while any other response

including ‘No’ and ‘Don’t know’ is negative. ‘Positive’ is taken as respondent have good

knowledge on the causes, signs and symptoms and prevention of the illness of anaemia while

‘negative’ is for the respondents who do not have knowledge on the causes signs and symptoms

and prevention of anaemia. This shows that 84.3% of respondents believe that malaria is the

cause of anaemia, 77.1% think worm infestation causes anemia, 89.5% thinks malnutrition,

52.9% of respondents consider early weaning to cause anaemia and 81% thinks bleeding causes

anaemia. Figures 4.2 is a bar chart illustration of client’s responses on the causes of anaemia.

4.5 Signs and Symptoms of anaemia

Figure 4.9: Can these signs and symptoms show that your child is anaemic?

On the signs and symptoms of anaemia, as shown in Figure 4.9, respondents consider general

paleness (89%) and dizziness (88.6) as the major signs and symptoms of anaemia. This is

followed closely by weakness (77.6%) and poor growth in children (73.8%). About 60% of

respondents however, think children refusal of food (anorexia) is a sign of anaemia with 50% of

the view that general headache is also a symptoms of anaemia. Figures 4.3 below clearly show

respondents view on the signs and symptoms of anaemia.

As stated earlier, ‘Yes’ is considered as ‘positive’ response while any other response including

‘No’ and ‘Don’t know’ is negative. Figures 4.3 is a bar chart illustration of client’s responses on

the causes of anaemia.

4.5 Prevention of anaemia

Figure 4.10: Indicate which measure can be used to prevent anaemia

Figure 4.10 shows that, of the valid responses, 95.2% indicated public health education as the

critical measure in preventing the illness of anaemia. Respondents considers balance diet

(94.8%) as the next preventive measure of anaemia and finally clean food and water (89.5%) was

indicated as a preventive measure of anaemia.

‘Yes’ is considered as ‘positive’ response while any other response including ‘No’ and ‘Don’t

know’ is negative.

Figure 4.11: Can these medications be used to prevent anaemia?

Finally, on the question of whether the above medications can be used to prevent anaemia, table

4.11 indicates that 93.3% of respondents believe blood tonic can be used to prevent anaemia,

79% say dewormers can be used and 69% believe malaria drugs can be used to prevent anaemia.

‘Yes’ is considered as ‘positive’ response while any other response including ‘No’ and ‘Don’t

know’ is negative.

4.6 Conclusion

Data analyzed using SPSS indicates that 81.4% respondents have knowledge on anaemia and this

knowledge is from various sources. This report notes that knowledge on anaemia is fundamental

to the prevention of anaemia.

Results also show that 95.2% of respondents believe that public health education on the signs

and symptoms is very important measure in preventing the illness of anaemia. Finally

respondents also consider good balance diet (94.8%) and clean food and water (89.5%) as key

preventive measure of the illness of anaemia.