Factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in Kegalle district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Maternal nutritional status is an important factor for a better outcome of the pregnancy. Anaemia and being underweight are preventable nutritional deficiencies which should be addressed long before the pregnancy. This cross sectional analytical study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia during the first trimester of pregnancy and its associated factors in Kegalle district, Sri Lanka. Data were collected using cluster sampling technique from 6 MOH divisions in the district including a total of 320 pregnant women who were more than 12 weeks of pregnancy. Face to face interviews and maternal health records were used to collect data. Chi square test and multiple logistic regression were computed to identify the factors: age, BMI, parity, ethnicity, education, occupation, family income, residence, dietary habits of eating fish and meat frequency, and weight and age of last child; related to anaemia state at the first trimester of pregnancy and its associations. The results showed a 16.2% prevalence of anaemia during the first trimester of pregnancy. The risk of having anaemia at 12 weeks of pregnancy was found to be prominent with BMI and the age of last child. Pregnant women with BMI 30 (obese), those having a last child below 3 yrs, and between 3-5 yrs compared to those having a last child over 5 yrs of age had respectively 15 times (Adj. OR:14.860;95%CI:1.658-133.329), 5 times Adj.OR:4.996;95%CI:1.358-18.382), and 4 times (Adj. OR:4.179;95%CI:14.839) higher risk of being anaemic at 12 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, strengthening of post partum iron supplementation and pre-pregnancy iron supplementation in expecting underweight women will be useful modes to prevent anaemia during the pregnancy.