Risk factors for anemia in pregnant women seeking care at a tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Abstract

Aim and Background: Anemia is a prevalent nutritional deficiency illness observed worldwide, with a special emphasis on its prevalence in underdeveloped nations. Despite the fact that anemia is a disease that may be readily treated and mostly prevented if discovered in a timely manner, it remains highly prevalent among pregnant women. The objective of this study was to quantify the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy and evaluate the correlation between various risk variables and the occurrence of
anemia. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive investigation conducted within a hospital setting over a period of August 2022 to July 2023. A sample size of 100 pregnant women was chosen from those attending the prenatal clinic. The sampling procedure involved the selection of every fifth woman visiting the maternity clinic during a period of two months, specifically on alternate days. Additionally, hemoglobin concentrations were documented for every individual in the study.
Results: The study revealed a prevailing prevalence rate of 90% for anemia among pregnant women. The majority of individuals diagnosed with anemia fall into the category of moderate severity as per the classification established by the World Health Organization. The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy was found to be substantially linked with three factors: socioeconomic status, gravida, and time of first antenatal visit.
Conclusion: The present investigation revealed a notable frequency of anemia among pregnant women. There was a strong association between anemia in pregnancy and factors such as low socioeconomic position, multigravida, and delayed attendance to the antenatal clinic.