PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN OF DHARAN SUB-METROPOLITAN CITY, SUNSARI, NEPAL

Abstract

The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women (15-49 years) who attended antenatal care at different health centers of Dharan sub-metropolitan city and to explore and assess factors associated with anemia. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the participants for socio-demographic and food frequency questionnaire for dietary data. The cyanmethemoglobin method was used to determine blood hemoglobin level. Anthropometric measurement was used to determine BMI and MUAC. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between anemia and various factors. The mean Hb level of participants was 11.12 gm/dl and the median was 11.10gm/dl with minimum and maximum of 8 gm/dl and 15.5 gm/dl respectively. Out of 213 pregnant women enrolled in the study, 74 (34.74%) were found to be anemic. In terms of severity, 47 (22.06%) were mildly anemic and 27 (12.68%) moderately anemic and there was no severe anemia identified (with Hb <7gm/dl). This study showed that demographic characteristics such as caste, religion and family size had no association with anemia. While the socio-economic factors like annual income of the family was significantly associated with anemia among pregnant women. Among the sample characteristics, age, MUAC and BMI were significantly associated while factors like education, age at marriage, eating habits and frequency of meal consumption had no relation with anemia. Similarly, gestational period, frequency of pregnancy and frequency of ANC visits were also associated with anemia. Nutritional factors like frequency of meat, fruits, milk & milk products and types of tea consumption showed no any association, whereas, frequency of egg, green leafy vegetables and tea consumption were significantly associated with Hb level among participants. Overall, the study indicated that anemia is still a significant problem among pregnant women of Dharan sub-municipality. A well and clear health education sessions strategy regarding anemia and early initiation of antenatal care needs to be more effective to overcome these issues.