Antenatal Enrollment and Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Specialist Hospital Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

Iron-deficiency anemia, is an important public health problem in developing countries. This study reviewed the antenatal enrollment and the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in a specialist hospital in Akure. Hospital record was reviewed from 2008 to 2013, and records of antenatal enrolment for each month of every said year was recorded. The data was analyzed and test of significance was carried out on the varibles using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17. The result showed that year 2013 witnessed the highest enrollment of 7591 pregnant women for antenatal and prevalence of anemia among the women was very low as it was less than 0.5%. However, year 2009 witness the highest incident of anemia. Therefore, every pregnant woman should be encouraged to enroll for antenatal care in hospitals with qualified health care professional for best pregnancy outcome. Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs), and consequently their oxygen- carrying capacity, is insufficient to meet the body's physiological needs (1). Iron-deficiency anemia, is an important public health problem in developing countries it is estimated that about one third of the world's population suffers from anemia (2). Pregnant women owing to their high demand are valuerable to anemia(3) Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy may have a serious effect on the health of both the mother and the baby; anemia can increase material and infant morbidity and mortality. The mechanism leading to increase morbidity include a decreased oxygen delivery capacity and the drys function of enzymes (4) The causes of Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is a complex combination of increased iron demand, low iron intake, and chronic blood loss. (2). Many factors have been associated with the risk of iron- deficiency in pregnancy e.g nutritional status, socio economic variables, culture, age, educational status, parity, spacing of pregnancies and the use of contraceptive devices. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world affecting 2 billion people worldwide with pregnant women particularly a risk. The world Health organization data indicates that iron deficiency anemia is a significant problem throughout the world ranging form 1% (average of 14%)in the industrioalized countries to an average of 56% (ranging from 35-75%) in developing countries. The major risk groups for iron deficiency include women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and lactating post partum women. Iron deficiency anemia is considered as a micronutrient deficiency of public health importance globally over 3.5 billion people particularly in developing countries were affected by iron deficiency (2). It occurs in 40- 80% of pregnant women in Africa. Iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women is associated with an estimated 111,000 material death worldwide yearly. The prevalence among this group in Nigeria ranges between 24 to 48% (5, 6). Hence this study reviewed the antenatal enrollment and the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in a specialist hospital in Akure.