A study on epidemiological factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Anaemia during pregnancy is one of the important factors associated with a number of maternal and foetal complications. It decreases the woman's reserve to tolerate bleeding either during or after child birth and makes prone to infections. Anaemia during pregnancy also has been associated with increased risk of intra uterine growth restriction, premature delivery, low birth weight (LBW) and maternal and child mortality. World Health Organization (WHO)/World Health Statistics data shows that 40.1% of pregnant women worldwide were anaemic in 2016. The condition is prominent in Southeast Asian countries where about half of all global maternal deaths are due to anaemia and India contributes to about 80% of the maternal death due to anaemia in South Asia. There is marginally decrease in prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women in India from 58% in NFHS-3 (National Family Health Survey-2005-06) to 50% in NFHS-4 survey . Material and Methods: 1): To assess the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy. 2): To determine association between social factors and anaemia in pregnancy. All pregnant women attending to OPD of ESIC hospital Hyderabad were considered for study. About 400 pregnant women include after obtaining oral consent. Women who don't have valid document about their Haemoglobin were not considered for study. Results: Overall prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was found 72.75%. In the present study majority (59.5%) were in 20-30 years age group followed by (27.3%) below 20 years age group while only (13.2%) were above 30 years of age. Among the total study population, almost all the religions were equally distributed, with slightly higher proportion (27%) of Hindus, followed by Muslims (24.5%) and Christians and other religion are equally distributed 24%. Majority (67%) of them were Illiterate. Literates were 33%. Most (67.5%) of the subjects belongs to lower socio economic status. Middle and high class together constitutes 32.5%. Majority (64.8%) of study subjects were married below 18 years of age. Early pregnancies (pregnancies in < 18yrs) were seen in about 61.8% of the population. Conclusion: Anaemia among pregnant mothers is still highly prevalent in India. Majority physical, socio-demographic and cultural factors contributing for higher incidence.