Determinants of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Dessie town health facilities, northern central Ethiopia, unmatched case -control study

Abstract

IntroductionAnemia affects around 38.2% and 22% of pregnant women at a global and national level respectively. In developing countries, women start pregnancy with already depleted body stores of iron and other vitamins with significant variation of anemia within and between regions.ObjectiveTo identify the determinants of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Dessie town health facilities, northern central Ethiopia.MethodsA health facility based unmatched case control study was conducted among 112 cases and 336 controls from January to March 2016 G.C. The sample size was determined by using Epi Info version 7.1.5.2. Study subjects were selected using consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to see the determinants of anemia. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value<0.05 were used to see the significant association.ResultsFailure to take dark green leafy vegetables per two weeks (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI: 2.16, 11.71), didn’t take chicken per two weeks (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.22, 5.86), 1st trimester (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.84), 3rd trimester (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.53, 5.72), HIV infection (AOR = 6.78, 95% CI: 2.28, 20.18) and medication (AOR = 3.57 95% CI: 1.60, 7.98) were positively associated with anemia.ConclusionsInadequate intake of dark green leafy vegetables, inadequate consumption of chicken, trimester of the current pregnancy, HIV infection and medication were the determinants of anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, anemia prevention strategy should include promotion of adequate intake of dark green leafy vegetables and chicken, increase meal pattern during the entire pregnancy and strengthen the prevention of mother to child HIV transmission/antenatal care programs.

Anaemia in Pregnancy at Booking: Prevalence and Risk Factors among Antenatal Attendees in a Southern Nigeria General Hospital

“…These findings are similar to findings from several other studies on risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy in other settings. [30,31,[39][40][41][42][43] This underscores the need to pay special attention to women of lower parity, who sometimes have poor spacing between births, with the aim of educating them on anaemia prevention measures, especially during pregnancy. The need to educate pregnant women, especially those in the rural areas on the importance of early booking and booking in certified health facilities is also of utmost importance.…”

Determinants of anemia among pregnant women in northern Ghana

“…Anemia has both short- and long-term consequences such as preterm, low birth weight, morbidity and mortality 1,2,3,4 . In 2016, World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that anemia affected 38.2% of pregnant women globally, with the highest prevalence in South-East Asia (48.7%) and Africa (46.3%) 5,6 . Anemia affects about 1.62 billion people, 56 million of whom are pregnant women 5 .…”

“…In developing countries, pregnant women often start gestation with depleted or low body iron stores, making them especially vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia 6,10,11,12 . Hb concentration declines during pregnancy, partly because of expanded plasma volume compared to red cell mass 10,13 .…”

Determinants of anemia among pregnant women: A hospital based cross sectional study

“…The authors noted that the risk of anemia was 6.78 times more in women who had HIV infection compared to those who had no HIV infection. 8 Mekonnen FA et al found that the prevalence of anemia was 10%. 64.3% were found to have mild anemia.…”