Abstract
Women in developing countries are at more risk for pregnancy-related complications than their counterpart of developed countries. However, many of the complications are preventable with good quality antenatal care (ANC). This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all the pregnant mothers who attend to routine antenatal clinic for booking visit at Vaharai, Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka during the time periods of 2015-2016. This study included 695 pregnant mothers. Among them majority were (n = 661; 95.1%) Tamil and belong to (n = 587; 84.5%) average age of 19 to 35 years. Majority of pregnant mothers studied up to grade eleven (GCE O/L) (n = 484; 69.6%). Among them 14.4% were identified as anaemic. Among anaemic mothers 8.4% were mild, 5.2% were moderate & 0.8% severe anaemic. There was no statistically significant difference between ethnicity, parity of pregnant mothers, & their respective haemoglobin levels. Most pregnant mothers belong to (n = 338; 48.6%) blood group O and majority were Rh positive (n = 603; 86.8%). 90.6% of pregnant mothers underwent VDRL test and none was positive. This study shows that about 15% of first trimester pregnant mothers were anemic. Nutritional interventions for pre-pregnant women and educating pregnant women on prevention of anaemia, are recommended. Measures must also be taken to decrease teen age marriages.
Highlights
Pregnancy is an important life event for the women, her family and the whole society too
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all the pregnant mothers who attend to routine antenatal clinic for booking visit at Vaharai, Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka during the time periods of 2015-2016
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all the pregnant mothers who attend to routine antenatal clinic for booking visit in MOH clinics at Vaharai MOH area between the time periods from 2015-2016
Summary
Pregnancy is an important life event for the women, her family and the whole society too. It can become critical for both mother and foetus when any complications arise. Women in developing countries are at more risk for pregnancy-related complications than their counterpart of developed countries [3] [4]. A trained health professional led antenatal care (ANC) is important for monitoring the pregnancy, to reduce potential risks for the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery. It will help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 of reducing child mortality by two-thirds and 5 of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters by the year 2015 [6]
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