The prevalence of nutritional anemia in pregnancy in an east Anatolian province, Turkey

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia is considered a severe public health problem by World Health Organization when anemia prevalence is equal to or greater than 40% in the population. The purpose of this study was to determine the anemia prevalence with the associated factors in pregnant women and to determine the serum iron, folate and B12 vitamin status in anaemic pregnants in Malatya province.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional survey. A multi-sage stratified probability-proportional-to-size cluster sampling methodology was used. A total of 823 pregnant women from sixty clusters were studied. Women were administered a questionnaire related with the subject and blood samples were drawn. Total blood count was performed within four hours and serum iron, folate and B12 vitamin were studied after storing sera at -20 C for six months.ResultsAnemia prevalence was 27.1% (Hb < 11.0 gr/dl). Having four or more living children (OR = 2.2), being at the third trimester (OR = 2.3) and having a low family income (OR = 1.6) were determined as the independent predictors of anemia in pregnancy. Anemia was also associated with soil eating (PICA) in the univariate analysis (p < 0.05). Of anaemic women, 50.0% had a transferrin saturation less than 10% indicating iron deficiency, 34.5% were deficient in B12 vitamin and 71.7% were deficient in folate. Most of the anemias were normocytic-normochromic (56.5%) indicating mixed anemia.ConclusionsIn Malatya, for pregnant women anemia was a moderate public health problem. Coexisting of iron, folate and B vitamin deficiencies was observed among anaemics. To continue anemia control strategies with reasonable care and diligence was recommended.

Factors associated with iron deficiency in pregnant women seen at a public prenatal care service

“…The study results are comparable to those of Karaoglu et al 17 who assessed 823 pregnant women in Turkey and found that those with serum Hb<11g/dL also had lower serum iron, ferritin and transferrin levels. Additionally, the present findings are similar to those of Dani et al 9 regarding the frequency of anemia characterized by low serum ferritin level, which was of 38.2% in 102 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in public facilities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil .…”

“…Serum hemoglobin level is the main parameter routinely used by public prenatal care services for diagnosing anemia 15 . However, the iron stores of pregnant women decrease before their hemoglobin levels do 16,17 . The study results show that anemia may not be detected during prenatal care and that other more effective means of diagnosing iron deficiency anemia should be included in the prenatal care routine.…”

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

“…This high prevalence of anemia in these study participants might be due to inadequate knowledge on factors causing anemia and on how to prevent the risk factors. Similar study conducted on prevalence and risk factors of anemia in rural areas of India and in Jimma showed a statistical significant association between education and anemia and in Turkey, between anemia and large family size which are consistent with this study [16,18,23].…”

“…The result of the present study is much lower than that of Jima (57%), Assendabo (62.7%), Peru (50%), Western Maharashtra, India (92.38%), highlands of Tibet (China) (70%) and most of the pregnant women of developing countries (35-75%) [2,5,[15][16][17]. Other similar studies conducted in east Anatonian province; Turkey, the highlands of Tanzania and in rural areas of Kenya had shown prevalence of 27.1%, 28% and 33% respectively [11,18,19]. This discrepancy might be because of the strengthened health educations given at health institutions during ANC follow up and that there was time difference and this study is done only in the urban women.…”

Prevalence and risk factors of anemia among pregnant women attending a high-volume tertiary care center for delivery

“…Among these etiologic factors, iron deficiency is often identified as the primary contributor to anemia in pregnancy. In Turkey, routine iron supplementation to all pregnant women has been advised since 2005 (2). Despite the implementation of the program for a decade, anemia in pregnancy still remains as one of the major health problems in the country with a prevalence of 32.6% (3).…”