ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objective: To see frequency of anemia and its related risk factors in pregnant women in an under developed area of Southern Punjab. Study design: Descriptive study. Setting: Ante natal outpatient clinic Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Kabirwala (Khanewal). Duration of the study: October2006 to March 2007. Sampling technique: Non-probability purposive. Methodology: Two hundred and fifty pregnant ladies attending ante natal outpatient clinic at Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Kabirwala (Khanewal) irrespective of reproductive age, socio economic, educational and residential status were included in this study. After taking consent a pre-designed proforma was filled in. Hemoglobin level was checked. Subjects were categorized according to the hemoglobin levels into mild (10.0-10.9 g /dl), moderate (8.0-9.9 g/dl) and severe (< 8.0 g/dl) anemia. Results: Two hundred and fifty pregnant women were studied. Mean age of the pregnant women was 28.28 ± 5.20 years. Out of these 250 pregnant women, 138 (55.2%) were anemic and out of these 83 (60.14 %) were moderately anemic while 55 (39.86 %) had mild anemia and none of these had sever anemia. Among participating pregnant women, 28 (11.2 %) were in 1st trimester, 85 (34 %) in 2nd trimester and 137 (54.8%) were in the 3rd trimester. Anemia was observed in 10 (35.71 %) women in first trimester, 35 (41.18%) in 2nd trimester and 93 (67.88 %) in 3rd trimester. One hundred and thirty two women were from rural background, out of these, 83 (62.88%) were anemic. Seventy were uneducated and out of these, 58 (82.88%) were anemic while 180 women were educated and of these 81 (45 %) were anemic. Ninety five (38 %) were having poor dietary habits and out of these, 78 (82.10 %) were anemic. One hundred eight pregnant ladies were not taking any iron supplement, out these 83 (76.85 %) were anemic while 142 (56.8 %) pregnant ladies were taking iron supplements, out of these 55 (38.73 %) were anemic. Twenty one pregnant women were with gravida more than 6 and out of these 19 (90.47 %) were anemic, of these 11 (57.89 %) had moderate anemia while 8 (42.10 %) were mildly anemic. Conclusions: The results of present study showed high frequency of anemia in the targeted population. Anemia was related with poor dietary habits especially poor iron intake. Anemia was more related with multi gravidity.