Predictors of Anemia among Pregnant Teenagers Presenting at a Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital in Mid-western Uganda

Abstract

Objective To establish the predictors of anemia among pregnant teenagers presenting at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, mid-western Uganda Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the months of August 2021 to October 2021. A total of 288 pregnant teenagers aged between 13 and 19 years attending antenatal care (ANC) at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH) were consecutively enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and laboratory report forms were used to obtain data. Descriptive statistics followed by binary logistic regression were conducted. All data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 23. Results The prevalence of anemia was 26%, with 53% having mild anemia, 40% moderate anemia, and 7% severe anemia. The key predictors of anemia among pregnant teenagers attending ANC at HRRH were lack of formal education (aOR = 17.39, CI:4.655–64.988; p < 0.001), nulliparity (aOR = 0.47, CI:0.225–0.989; p = 0.047) and ANC visits less than four times (aOR = 8.80, CI:2.888–27.811; p < 0.001) Conclusion The prevalence of anemia among pregnant teenagers at HRRH was higher than the estimated national anemia prevalence in this age group. Lack of formal education and poor ANC attendance are the key predictors of anemia at HRRH. Nulliparity is a protective factor for this obstetric complication in this age group of women at this facility.