Pattern of Anemia during Pregnancy among Patients in Selected Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is a common health problem. In developing countries, nearly half of all women and children are anemic. Anemia reduces work productivity and places at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes including increased risk of maternal mortality, perinatal mortality, premature births, spontaneous abortions and low birth weight. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess pattern of anemia during pregnancy. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among purposively selected 200 women attending in the outpatient department (OPD) of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Clinical Pathology department, BSMMU. Hemoglobin was measured by appropriate method. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Results: About 55%, 33% and 12% women suffered from anemia at 2 nd trimester, 3rd trimester and 1st trimester of gestational period respectively. About 12% respondents had mean hemoglobin percentage of 55.83 in 1 st trimester. In 2 nd trimester 55% respondents had mean hemoglobin percentage 55.40 and remaining 33% had mean hemoglobin percentage 53.25 in 3 rd trimester. About 49%, 44% and 7% of the women were multipara, primipara and grand multipara respectively. Mean hemoglobin level was lower in multipara than in primipara. Mild, moderate and severe anemic was 70%, 27% and 3%. Conclusion: The mean hemoglobin level declines with the number of pregnancies of the respondents.