Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background In pregnancy, anemia is an important factor associated with an increased risk of maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality, poor pregnancy outcomes, and impaired cognitive development, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess prevalence and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method A cross-sectional health facility based study was conducted on 284 pregnant women to assess prevalence and factors associated with anemia at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College from June to August 2014. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire by interview and review of medical records. About 4 ml of venous blood was collected from each subject for peripheral blood film and complete blood counts (CBC). Binary Logistic regression analysis had been used to check for association between dependent and independent variables. In all cases, P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result The prevalence of anemia was found to be 11.6% (95 % CI; 7.8%-14.8%). Pregnant women in the second [AOR (95% CI), 6.72 (1.17-38.45), and P=0.03] and third trimester [AOR (95% CI), 8.31 (1.24-55.45), and P=0.029] were more likely to be anemic when compared to pregnant women in their first trimester. Pregnant women who did not receive iron/folic acid supplementation [AOR (95%CI), 4.03(1.49-10.92), and P=0.01] were more likely to be anemic when compared to pregnant women who did take supplementations. Conclusion In this study the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy was low compared to the findings of others. Gestational age (trimester) and iron/folic acid supplementation were statistically associated with anemia. Therefore, iron supplementation and health education to create awareness about the importance of early booking for antenatal care are recommended to reduce anemia.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care (ANC) at Fatima Hospital in Jashore, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The current study showed that, the prevalence of anemia was 2.18 times higher at third trimester [AOR (95% CI) = 2.18 (1.40 -3.40), P = 0.001] than first trimester. The study finding was well-matched with other studies conducted at Adigrat General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia [5], Southern Ethiopia [6], JigJiga, Eastern Ethiopia [13], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [27], Southern Ethiopia [31], and Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia [32]. Pregnant women's birth interval having less than two years [AOR (95% CI) = 2.87 (1.51 -5.44), P = 0.001] were 2.87 times more likely to be anemic compared to those with birth interval more than two years.…”

“…According to the World Health Organization classification, the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in this study was a severe public health problem [17] [28] [29]. The prevalence determined in this study area was comparable with other studies reported in different countries: Bangladesh (59%), Bhutan (59%), and Sri Lanka (60%) [25], China (58.6%) [18], Malaysia (57.4%) [27]; higher than Republic in Korea (30.2%), South Africa (19.7%) [15], in rural area of Southern Ethiopia (29%); and lower than India (87.2%), Pakistan (90.5%) [27] and Nepal (73%) [9]. Socio-demographic factors are associated with anemia among pregnant women [22].…”

“…According to many studies, severity of anemia during pregnancy has been found responsible for poor maternal and fetal outcomes [20] [21] [22] [23]. The most common obstetric problems of anemia during pregnancy include; abortion, prematurity, intrauterine fetal death, neonatal low birth weight, postnatal mortality and morbidity [20]- [27]. In Bangladesh, there were three different surveys previously conducted and estimating the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and the percentage (%)prevalence were found as 50%, 59% and 63% [9] [25].…”

Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia in Chinese pregnant women (IRON WOMEN): a national cross-sectional survey

“…The magnitudes of association for pertinent factors such as advanced trimesters, multiple gestations, IDA prior to pregnancy, and hematological diseases other than IDA, were relatively strong (adjusted odds ratio over 2). The results were consistent with studies on non-Chinese populations [28][29][30][31], and have important implications for managing pregnant women with these characteristics who may be at elevated risk. The sensitivity analysis by excluding those with previously diagnosed IDA or anemia have further confirmed the apparent adverse effect of these factors on the development of anemia or IDA.…”

<p>Prevalence, Morphological Classification, And Factors Associated With Anemia Among Pregnant Women Accessing Antenatal Clinic At Itojo Hospital, South Western Uganda</p>

“…14,15 In this study, there were 7.4% cases of anaemia which is closely comparable with studies in Ethiopia 9.7%, 16 Sudan 10%, 17 and Ethiopia 11.6%. 18 The prevalence is lower than the worldwide prevalence of anemia in pregnancy that has been estimated at 40.1%. 1 Our prevalence, however, is lower than the national prevalence of Uganda (30.4%) 19 showing spatial distribution of anaemia from region to region and relying on the study methods employed.…”