Iron Deficiency And Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women’s Attending Antenatal Care In Butajira General Hospital, South Ethiopia 2020

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency during pregnancy is major nutritional problem in worldwide in both developing and developed country because it increases iron requirement during pregnancy and it is the most common cause of anemia this nutritional problem directly and indirectly has effect on many women during lack sufficient iron store that lead to anemia and also reduce iron store in the new born. However, there is limited evidence on iron deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women in low-income countries like Ethiopia including the study area. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of iron deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women in public health facilities of Butajira town, Guragey Zone, southern Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 pregnant women in Butajira general hospital of Butajira town, Gurage Zone, SNNPR region from April 10 to 30, Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, MUAC was done, venous blood was collected to determine serum ferritin level Clinical related data was collected from patient medical record by using structured checklist. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistics regression analysis was done. Adjust odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to measure the strength of association. Level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Result: The magnitude of iron deficient was 48.9%, data was collected 407 pregnant women of which 199(48.9%). Dietary diversity [AOR: 4.06, 95% CI: (2.08,7.95)], Habit of drinking coffee and tea before 30 min [AOR=8.39, 95% CI: (4.62,15.22)], MUAC [AOR=8.87, 95% CI: (5.12,15.37)] were significantly associated with iron deficiency. Conclusion: Data was collected 407 pregnant women of which 199(48.9%) were iron deficient, 208(5.1%) were normal. The magnitude iron deficiency was found to be major public health problem in the study area. These results suggest screening and supplementation of at-risk pregnancies may be evaluated as a preventive strategy. Early diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency is recommended for those pregnant women’s having inadequate dietary diversity and low MUAC will be very important for prevention and control of iron deficient