Anemia and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Prenatal Care in Rural Dembia District, North West Ethiopia: A cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroduction: About 22% of pregnant women are anemic in Ethiopia, but there is a large variation across the country. Hence, the aim of this study identifies the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women attending prenatal appointments in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia.Methods and materials: A facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 713 pregnant women. A multi-stage, stratified sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A structured and pretested questionnaire, laboratory data, and chart review were used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with anemia in pregnant women.Results: Prevalence of anemia was 32.4% with a majority of these having moderate anemia. Type of health center being rural/urban health center, water sources, days since fasting, 4 weeks of iron supplementation, craving unusual foods, mid-upper arm circumference scores, and decision power were significant predictors of anemia.Conclusion: The present study suggests anemia among pregnant women attending prenatal in Dembia district was high. Working to enhance adherence to iron supplementation and partner involvement for joint decision-making is recommended to avert prenatal anemia. Health-care providers and programmers are advised to pay special attention to rural and fasting pregnant mothers.Abbreviations: AOR: Adjusted Odd Ratio; CMHS: College of medicine and health sciences; CI: Confidence Interval; HFIAS: Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; RCSI: Reduced Coping Strategies Index; Hgb: Hemoglobin; MCMC: Marco Chain Monte Carlo; EPV: Events per variable; BMI: Body Mass Index; PPS: Population proportionate to size sampling; SRS: simple random sampling; DALYS: Disability-adjusted life years; MUAC: Mid-upper-arm-circumference; WHO: World Health Organization; EDHS: Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey; SPSS: Statistical package for social science; ANC: Ante natal care; PCA: Principal component analysis; MASL: Meter above sea level; g/dl: gram per decilitre HALE: Health Action Leicester Ethiopia; WDDS: Women’s Dietary Diversity Scale