Predictors of anemia in pregnancy among pregnant women accessing antenatal care in a poor resource setting in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anemia in pregnancy affects about half of pregnant women and constitutes a serious health problem. Objectives: The aim was to determine the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy, as well as its pattern and determinants. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at antenatal booking clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki from February to July 2012. Hemoglobin <11 g/dl was regarded as anemia. Estimation of hemoglobin concentration, HIV infection, blood group, genotype and blood film for malaria parasite and erythrocyte morphology were done. Stool analysis was also done. Results: Prevalence of anemia in pregnancy was 58%. Anemia in pregnancy was a common finding among primigravida 82 (66.1%), social Class II 14 (56.0%), social Class III 98 (53.6%), social Class IV 45 (61.6%), social Class V 117 (65.4%), antenatal booking at 14–27 weeks 211 (70.3%), and antenatal booking at ≥28 weeks 47 (74.6%). The significant predictors of anemia in pregnancy include HIV in pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] =4.88 [1.09–21.84]), P = 0.04, obstetric hemorrhage (OR = 2.97 [1.27–6.97]), P = 0.01, malaria parasitemia (OR = 4.28 [2.28–8.03]), P < 0.001, primigravidity (OR = 0.04 [1.03–2.41]), P = 0.04, and helminthiasis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Anemia is still a common finding in pregnancy, and important contributing factors include malaria parasitemia, helminthic infestation and HIV in pregnancy.