Effect of Socio-Demographic and Gestational Status on the Development of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women

Abstract

3 Abstract: To study the effect of age, gravidity, interval since last pregnancy and socioeconomic status (education and per capita income) on the development of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women. This descriptive study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of tertiary care hospital in Lahore. 150 pregnant women (50 in each trimester), attending antenatal clinic of tertiary care hospital was selected randomly. Information about socioeconomic and gestational status was collected with the help of semi structured questionnaire while 5cc venous blood was also collected for the estimation of Hemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia was based on history, percent hemoglobin and packed cell volume. In 150 selected patients, 80% had Hb within the range of 9-12 g/dl. Occurrence of anemia was most common in the age group of 20-30 years and it has statistically significant adverse effects on Hb level. It was also found that the Hb concentration was related to educational status of the pregnant women and Hb level improved significantly (p<0.05) with the increase in per capita family income. A directly proportional relationship of PCV and MCHC was found with Hb concentration . Fewer children, greater intervals between pregnancies and better socioeconomic status lead to lower probability of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.