Problems Identified in Antenatal Screening in Bope Poddala, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: This study was carried out to analyze the patterns and identify some co-relates of Hemoglobin levels and basic investigations (VDRL, UFR, Grouping & Rh) performed at booking visit during pregnancy. Methods: All pregnant mothers who attended the routine antenatal clinic for their booking visit in Bope Poddala MOH area from April 2013 to April 2014 were selected as the sample. Data were extracted from the records available in the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Results Total number of mothers in the sample was 289. Of them, 7.3% were teenage mothers while those aged between 19-35yrs and above 35yrs constituted 82.0% and 10.7% respectively. The ethnic distribution of pregnant women is as follows; Sinhala 68.2% (197), Muslim 30.4% (88) and Tamil 1.4% (4). Their respective Hb levels were 12.15g/dl, 11.94g/dl and 10.82g/dl. The overall mean Hb level of pregnant mothers is 12.07 g/dl (SD=1.48). The mean Hb levels of teenage mothers, mothers aged between 19-35yrs and mothers above 35yrs were 11.65 (SD=1.29) g/dl, 12.07g/dl (SD=1.43) and 12.3 (SD=1.91) g/dl respectively. Accordingly, 22.8% among first trimester pregnant mothers were anemic. There was no association between age group (P value 0.438), ethnicity (P value 0.230) and parity (P value 0.291) of pregnant mothers with their Hb levels. Only 0.3% has a weakly reactive VDRL results and no one had a positive test. Out of total pregnant mothers 8.7% had pyuria and 4.5% had trace urine albumin levels at booking visit. Out of total pregnant mothers 91.7% was Rh positive and 8.3% was Rh negative. Conclusion This study shows that nearly quarter of first trimester pregnant mothers who presented at their booking visit to antenatal clinic were anemic. A considerable percentage had pyuria which is compatible with the global prevalence. Nutritional interventions for pre-pregnant women and educating pregnant women on prevention of urinary tract infections are recommended.