Sociodemographic factors in anaemia in pregnancy at booking in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Anaemia in pregnancy is a common problem in many developing countries. In Nigeria, it is responsible for 11.0% of maternal deaths. This study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level <11 g/dl. Proportions were compared using the chi2 test. A total of 35.3% of the 374 women studied were anaemic. Anaemia was more common in primigravidae than in parous women of parity 2 - 4 (chi2 = 6.87; p = 0.0087). Low socioeconomic status, (chi2 = 24.67, p = 0.00090), short interval between pregnancies (chi2 = 20.34, p = 0.000144), booking in the third trimester (chi2 = 15.4, p = 0.00045) and recent febrile illness (chi2 = 6.80; p = 0.0091) were associated with anaemia. Women who only used haematenics were more anaemic than those who also used anti-malarial chemo-prophylaxis (chi2 = 57.32, p = 0.00001). Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with several social and demographic factors. To reduce the prevalence of anaemia women need to have a good formal education, be economically empowered and good antenatal care must be made available, accessible and affordable to all women.

Awareness and desirability of antenatal attendees about analgesia during childbirth in a university teaching hospital in southern Nigeria

“…10 In our study, just about a third of the patients were aware of analgesia in labour. This level of awareness about pain relief in labour is higher than those from previous studies conducted in other parts of Africa and Asia but much lower than those reported from developed countries were rates as high as 80% have been documented.…”

“…1 The desirability of analgesia in labour in this study is high and similar to reports from other studies. 7,8,10 Since this study consisted of only parous women who had undergone vaginal delivery, with just a small proportion having received some form of pain relief, they must have appreciated the severity of labour pains and may not want to experience such again. In addition, most of the women were well educated and this study confirmed a positive association between maternal educational level and pain perception.…”

Study of Factors Associated with Anemia among Women in Reproductive Age in Kolda (Senegal)

“…Jn 2006, Anorlu's study in Nigeria found that socio-economic status was significantly associated with anemia (p < 0.0001) with higher prevalence among women of low socioeconomic status [22]. The survey in Mauritania revealed that the percentage of anemic subjects is slightly higher among women who do not work (50.2%) than among women who work (46.8%) [23]. In 2013, Bayebie in Dakar found that economic activity reduced the risk of anemia [17].…”

The Study of Maternal Anaemia in Relation to Socioeconomic Status of Women Going to Labour in Orissa

“…6,7 In developing countries, pregnancy related under nutrition can be attributed to various socioeconomical reasons and poor awareness of basic nutritional requirements. 8 A number of studies have been done previously on correlating maternal anaemia with various socioeconomic groups which were Colomer et al [1990], 9 Bentley and Griffiths [2003], 10 Dairo et al (2004), 11 Anorlu et al (2006). 12 Noronha et al (2010).…”

“…8 A number of studies have been done previously on correlating maternal anaemia with various socioeconomic groups which were Colomer et al [1990], 9 Bentley and Griffiths [2003], 10 Dairo et al (2004), 11 Anorlu et al (2006). 12 Noronha et al (2010). 13 All of them concluded in their studies that the high prevalence of maternal anaemia was strongly associated with low socioeconomic status.…”