Anemia associated with asymptomatic malaria among pregnant women in the rural surroundings of Arba Minch Town, South Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia during pregnancy is a well known medical condition most of the time under-recognized as it is overshadowed by the normal physiological condition during pregnancy. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of anemia among pregnant women residing in the rural surroundings of Arbaminch Town, south Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional community based study was conducted between April and June, 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Hematocrit (HCT) level was determined to classify the pregnant women as anemic and non-anemic. Diagnosis of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia was done by Giemsa stained blood smear microscopy. HCT < 33%, (HCT ≥ 30% & < 33%), (HCT ≥ 21% & < 30%), and HCT < 21% was used to indicate anemia, mild anemia, moderate anemia, and severe anemia respectively.ResultsA total of 341 pregnant women participated in this study, out of which 118 (34.6%) were anemic. The median age of the pregnant women was 25 years (Inter-quartile range: 23–29). The mean HCT was 35.2% (95% CI: 34.6%–35.8%) with SD of ±5.5%. Of those 118 anemic women; 73(61.9%) were mildly anemic, 38(32.2%) were moderately anemic, and 7(5.9%) were found to be severely anemic. The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia was 9.1% (31/341). The odds of being anemic were 15.72 times [AOR: 15.72, 95% CI (3.97, 62.22), P-value ≤ 0.001] more likely to occur in parasitemic individuals relative to the non parasitemic pregnant women. Not using insecticide treated bed net (ITN) was a significant predictor of anemia among the pregnant women [AOR: 3, 95% CI: (1.72, 5.22), P < 0.001].ConclusionThis study highlighted the significant association between anemia and asymptomatic malaria among pregnant women in the study area. Therefore, the practice of routine screening for malaria and anemia followed by prompt management should be encouraged to curb the effect of malaria and anemia on the pregnant women as well as her fetus. Further studies should also be in place to test the effectiveness of routine screening for malaria and anemia followed by prompt management.

Anemia among Women Attending Antenatal Care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017

“…It is reasonable that the improvement of ANC coverage, prenatal iron supplementation, involvement of woman in decision-making process, and decreasing the burden of maternal undernutrition in the country could favor the reduction of the magnitude [ 16 ]. This is supported by earlier studies showing that antenatal care follow-up, enhancing women empowerment, and good maternal nutritional status prevent anemia [ 37 ]. The provision of micronutrient (folic acid and iron), nutrition education, and other related cares during ANC visit might reduce the risk of developing anemia.…”

Asymptomatic malaria, growth status, and anaemia among children in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a cross-sectional study

“…Severe anaemia was not found among the participants infected with aymptomatic malaria, as in a study conducted in South Ethiopia [ 51 ]. In order to study the longitudinal effect, the severity of anaemia would be important aspect for the future observation.…”

Prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia; a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The minimum and maximum age of pregnant women included in this review were 14 years and 42 years respectively. Thirteen, 65% of the included studies were conducted at health institution [24, 26–37] and 7(35%) of studies were community-based studies [25, 38–43]. Most of the regions in Ethiopia were represented in this review.…”

“…Most of the regions in Ethiopia were represented in this review. One of the study was conducted in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia [34], 3 were from Amhara region [27, 28, 36], 6 from Oromia region [24, 25, 30, 35, 37, 42], 1 from Somali region [38], 5 from SNNPR [29, 32, 33, 40, 43], 2 from Tigray region [26, 31], and 2 were nationwide studies [39, 41] (Table 1). …”

“…& Mulugeta A., 2015 [31]Northwestern zone, Tigray Region2014Facility based71497.711.2136.1Gebremedhin S. et al, 2014 [41]Eight rural woredas of Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and SNNP regions2012Community based4459311.533.2Gebremedhin S, Enquselassie F., & Umeta M., 2014 [40]Sidama, SNNPR2011Community based70093.111.431.6Gedefaw L.et al, 2015 [32]Wolayita Soddo Otona Hospital, SNNPR2014Facility based36310011.5539.9Getachew M. et al, 2012 [42]Districts around Gilgel Gibe Dam area, Oromia Region2011Community based38898.710.953.9Gies S. et al, 2003 [33]Awassa, SNNPR2001Facility based40310012.315.1Jufar AH. & Zewde T., 2014 [34]Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa2013Facility based3951001221.3Kedir H.et al, 2013 [25]Haramaya district, Oromia Region2010Community based167894.71143.9Kefiyalew F. et al, 2014 [35]Bisidimo Hospital, Babile Woreda, Somalie2013Facility based25810011.427.9Melku M.et al, 2014 [36]Gondar University hospital, Amhara region2012Facility based30210011.9616.6Mihiretie H. et al, 2015 [24]Nekemte, Oromia region2011Facility based150100–52Nega D.et al, 2015 [43]Arba Minch Town, SNNPR region2013Community based35496.311.7334.6Obse N.et al, 2013 [37]Shara woreda, West Arsi zone, Oromia region…”