Anaemia is typical of pregnancies: capturing community perception and management of anaemia in pregnancy in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundAnaemia during pregnancy continues to constitute significant challenge to maternal health in Nigeria and contributes substantially to the worsening maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Nigeria despite a global reduction in MMR in response to effort to improve safe motherhood. The incidence of anaemia during pregnancy is still high (>40 %) in Nigeria, and attitudes and management practices are yet unclear as the peoples’ understanding of the phenomenon remains unclear. This study explored the perceptions/attitudes on anaemia during pregnancy and practices to prevent and/or manage it in Anambra State.MethodsIn-depth interview and focus group discussion data were collected from health workers and mothers who delivered within 6 months preceding the study and from mothers and husbands of women who delivered within 6 months preceding the study, respectively.ResultsThe people expressed some knowledge of anaemia, being common in pregnancies. However, some expressed the view that anaemia being a typical sign of pregnancy cannot be prevented. Some mothers expressed desire for focused antenatal care services to control anaemia but lamented the attitude of the health workers, who make access to these interventions difficult.ConclusionsControl of anaemia in pregnancy should start with providing health education to pregnant women and their partners, who reinforce what the women are told during antenatal care, and with training health workers for friendlier attitudes to clients.

The Effect of Anemia in Pregnancy on Postpartum Hemorrhage

“…It indicates that mothers with anemia in pregnancy experience a risk of postpartum hemorrhage 11.253 times greater than mothers who are not anemic. It is in accordance with research administered by Wardani in 2017 in which the research she conducted demonstrated a significant relationship between anemia and postpartum hemorrhage, with anemia at risk of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage 17.6 times for postpartum hemorrhage compared to mothers who did not experience postpartum hemorrhage due to anemia (Wardani, 2017), (Onyeneho & Igweonu, 2016). There is 8 to 10-fold increase in MMR when the Hb falls below 5 g/dl.…”

Exploring Indonesian mothers' perspective on anemia during pregnancy: A qualitative approach

“…Furthermore, pregnant women perceived that anemia is a normal condition that often occurs during pregnancy and believed that this condition is their destiny as women. These findings are supported by a previous study conducted in Nigeria, where pregnant women perceive that anemia is a normal condition occurring during pregnancy [17]. Women analyzed in another study also perceived anemia as a normal condition during pregnancy because their body must share nutrition with the fetus [27].…”

“…The lack of knowledge [13] and the tendency to use lay views and old perceptions in health-seeking behaviors represent significant contributions to the substantial effects of anemia. A person's perceptions and judgment are often affected by cultural values and beliefs that have been held for many years [17].…”

Explorando las perspectivas de las madres indonesias sobre la anemia durante el embarazo: un enfoque cualitativo

“…Furthermore, pregnant women perceived that anemia is a normal condition that often occurs during pregnancy and believed that this condition is their destiny as women. These ndings are supported by a previous study conducted in Nigeria, where pregnant women perceive that anemia is a normal condition occurring during pregnancy [17]. Women analyzed in another study also perceived anemia as a normal condition during pregnancy because their body must share nutrition with the fetus [27].…”

“…The lack of knowledge [13] and the tendency to use lay views and old perceptions in health-seeking behaviors represent signi cant contributions to the substantial effects of anemia. A person's perceptions and judgment are often affected by cultural values and beliefs that have been held for many years [17].…”