Prevalence, characterization, and risk factors of gestational anemia in Quindío, Colombia, 2018-2023

Abstract

To describe the prevalence and characterize gestational anemia in women attending prenatal care in the department of Quindío, Colombia, and to identify associated risk factors. An analytical crosssectional study was conducted. Out of 1,003 pregnant women, 307 were selected. The study included pregnant women aged 18 years or older who attended a prenatal care program at three high-complexity private institutions in Armenia (Quindío, Colombia) from 2018 to 2023, providing a five-year observation window. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of fetal malformations and hemolytic disease, those who changed healthcare centers, or moved out of Quindío were excluded. The mean age of the participants was 28.14 ± 5.27 years. The prevalence of gestational anemia was identified as 26.38 %, with an average hemoglobin level of 9.82 ± 1.74 g/dL. Of these, 12.37 % had hemoglobin levels of 10.1-10.9 g/dL (mild anemia), 8.46 % had levels of 7.1-10.0 g/dL (moderate anemia), and 5.53 % had levels below 7.0 g/dL (severe anemia). In the third trimester, the prevalence of anemia increased to 41.97 % (n = 34/81), with 91.35 % (n = 74/81) of cases being iron-deficiency anemia. A BMI of < 18.5 (OR: 15.46; 95 % CI: 7.13-28.59), multiple pregnancy (OR: 9.73; 95 % CI: 1.49-26.83), and a history of pregestational anemia (OR: 7.43; 95 % CI: 4.52-9.13) were associated with gestational anemia. The prevalence of gestational anemia is over 25 % and increases in the third trimester. It is important to identify risk factors during preconception evaluation and prenatal care.