Background: Iron deficiency is the most prevalent single deficiency state on a worldwide basis. Efforts were made to reduce iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, increasing pregnant mothers' awareness of anemia and its preventive practices.

Aim: Assess knowledge and preventive practices of pregnant women about iron deficiency anemia at Assuit City.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used in this study. It was conducted at antenatal outpatient clinics in three main areas to cover Assuit City (women’s Health Hospital University, Al Mutaa Family Medicine Center, and Qolta Maternal &Child Health Center.

Sample: A sample of 350 pregnant women in the second and third trimesters attending antenatal outpatient clinics for follow-up involved in the study. Two tools were used; a structured interview questionnaire and preventive practices of pregnant women.

Results: 59.4% and 58.9% of the studied women had poor levels of knowledge and unsatisfactory preventive practices regarding IDA respectively.

Conclusion: Most of the studied pregnant women had poor knowledge and unsatisfactory practices regarding iron deficiency anemia.

Recommendations: Counseling and health education are important for pregnant women to increase their awareness and improve their preventive practices of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, Knowledge, Preventive practices, Pregnant women