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BackgroundAn estimated 30% of the world's population is affected with anaemia. Anaemia in pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal deaths in developing countries. In developing countries, anaemia affects almost two thirds of the pregnant population. It is also estimated that anaemia is responsible for as much as 20% of all maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal anaemia is a risk factor for infant iron deficiency anaemia and, if left uncorrected, can be associated with adverse behavioural and cognitive development in children. The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is estimated at between 35% and 75% in sub-Saharan Africa, however, the area-specific health problems during pregnancy are not known. In order to improve maternal health and the health of the foetus during pregnancy, knowledge of the prevalence or incidence of pregnancy-related conditions would be useful for district management teams, as well as for provincial and national maternal, child and women's health programme development. The objectives of this study were to describe haemoglobin levels and estimate the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women at their booking visit.

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries. It is associated with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. A high rate of anaemia in pregnancy in the rural population of KwaZulu-Natal (30% according to national and 57% according to the World Health Organization [WHO] definition of anaemia in pregnancy) is observed. The risk factors for anaemia, particularly during pregnancy, are multiple and complex and their relative contributions are known to vary by geographic areas and by seasons. In order to design an intervention for treatment and prevention of anaemia in pregnancy, studies to assess the aetiological factors are necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of association between intestinal helminthiasis, urinary schistosomiasis and HIV infection on anaemia in pregnancy.

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