PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN OF ITAHARI SUB-METROPOLITAN CITY

Abstract

Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences on human health as well as social and economic development. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy in developing countries. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women of Itahari sub-metropolitan city. A hospital based cross-sectional study was employed. A consecutive sampling procedure was used to select 211 pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinics in Primary health care centre and Family planning Association of Nepal of Itahari sub-metropolitan city. The data was entered, coded and analysed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to show the significant association between anemia and associated factors. The present study revealed that the prevalence of anemia among the pregnant women was 18.5% with varying degrees ranging from mild and moderate which were 16.6% and 1.9% respectively. None of the participants were severely anemic (Hb<7gm/dl). The results from this study found that the mean haemoglobin level of participants was 11.5 ± 0.8(gm/dl) with minimum and maximum of 9.2 gm/dl and 15.6 gm/dl respectively. Yearly income (p=0.009), frequency of antenatal visits (p=0.010), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (p=0.046), body-mass index (BMI) (p=0.048) and frequency of egg taken (p=0.042) were found to be statistically significant association with anemia among pregnant women (p-value <0.05). The prevalence of anemia (32.3%) was found to be high in underweight pregnant women. Anemia was found to be mild public health problem in the study area. Thus, nutritional counselling on consumption of iron rich foods during pregnancy and health education about anemia should be given to pregnant women to prevent from anemia.