Risk factors of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in health facilities of Eastern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, case-control study, 2017/18.

Kidanemaryam Berhe,Guesh Welu,Gebrehiwot Gebremariam,Hirut Teame,Tesfay Tsegay,Berhane Fseha,Natnael Etsay

doi:10.11604/pamj.2019.34.121.15999

Kidanemaryam Berhe, Guesh Welu + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.34.121.15999

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Abstract

IntroductionWorldwide the average prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 38.2% and in Ethiopia, the average prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 22%. The aim of this research was to identify risk factors of anemia among pregnant women in Eastern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia.MethodsA case-control study was conducted among 600 (150 cases and 450 controls) pregnant women in 2017/18. Pregnant women with a hemoglobin level below 11 g/dl were cases (anemic) and those with hemoglobin >11 g/dl were controls (non-anemic). Data were collected using structured questionnaire and SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for anemia among pregnant women. P-value <0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were used to assess the association.ResultsIntestinal parasites (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2, 17.9), farmer occupation (AOR=3, 95% CI: 1.4, 10.8), unprotected sources of drinking water (AOR=3; 95% CI: 1.7, 16.9), drinking coffee/tea with or immediately after meal daily (AOR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.04, 8.7) and diet diversity score (DDS) of less than 3 (AOR=3; 95% CI: 1.5, 5.5) were statistically significant for anemia among pregnant women.ConclusionIn this study, the risk factors for anemia among pregnant women were intestinal parasites, mother farmer occupation, unprotected source of drinking water, drinking coffee or tea with a meal or immediately after meal and low diet diversification score. Therefore, nutritional intervention should consider the above-identified risk factors.

Highlights

World health organization (WHO) defines anemia in pregnancy as a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood as a result of fewer circulating erythrocytes than normal or a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin level below 11 g/dl
In Ethiopia, according to Ethiopia demographic and health survey 2011 (EDHS 2011), the average prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 22% and there was a difference from region to region which may result from a number of causes' variations from locality to locality [4]
Study area: the study was conducted in the Eastern Zone of Tigray Region, Ethiopia which is located at 870km from the capital city of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

Summary

Introduction

World health organization (WHO) defines anemia in pregnancy as a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood as a result of fewer circulating erythrocytes than normal or a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin level below 11 g/dl. For the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, our body needs different micronutrients like iron, vitamin B12, folate and others from the food we eat. About 32.4 million (38.2 %) pregnant women are affected by anemia and the burden is high in developing countries especially in South East Asia and Africa [3]. In Ethiopia, according to Ethiopia demographic and health survey 2011 (EDHS 2011), the average prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 22% and there was a difference from region to region which may result from a number of causes' variations from locality to locality [4]

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