Assessment of the Effect of Applying WHO-UNICEF Guidelines for Control of Anemia during Pregnancy at Hodeida City (Yemen) During the Year 2021

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia, is common in pregnant women. The global prevalence of anemia in pregnancy (AIP) is estimated as 41.8% and in more than 80% of countries in the world, the prevalence of AIP estimated at 29%. AIP is associated with increased maternal, neonatal and perinatal mortality, low birth weight, premature birth, and delayed child development. This study aimed to assess the effect of applying WHO-UNICEF guidelines for AIP control at Hodeida city, Yemen. Methods: Facility based interventional prospective study had conducted in 17 health centers of Hodeida city which had randomly distributed to 8 experimental and 9 control health centers, selecting 250 pregnant women from experimental health centers and equal number from control ones. Experimental health centers had intervened through training on, and managing pregnant women for anemia according WHO-UNICEF guidelines while pregnant women at control health centers had managed according health centers own approaches. Pregnant women at both types’ health centers had followed 3 times till labor for Hb response, pregnancy and labor courses and complications. Data statistically analyzed using SPSS program (Version 22) including descriptive statistics, t test for examining the difference in means of Hb response, pregnancy and labor complications among the experimental and control groups Results: The study revealed statistically significant 20% higher Hb improvement rate in experimental group compared with control group on applying WHO – UNICEF guidelines for AIP control at primary health centers(P = 0.00, t= 4.27). Also, statistically significant decrease of pregnancy complications (P = 0.02, t= -2.445) and labor complications (P = 0.001, t= -3.472) had been reached on applying the protocol. Conclusion: Applying WHO – UNICEF guidelines for AIP control at primary health centers improved Hb response and decreased antenatal and natal complications. Key words: Anemia, Pregnancy, Guidelines, Assessment.