Abstract:
Introduction; Anemia in pregnant women is defined by haemoglobin levels less than11 g/dl for 1stand 3rd trimester and 10.5 g/dl for 2nd trimester. It is usually caused by iron deficiency, which is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018 put prevalence of anemia at 41.8% among pregnant women, with the highest prevalence rate (61.3%) found among pregnant women in Africa and 52.5% among South East Asia.Iron deficiency is highest in population sub groups that are peak rates of growth namely infants, young children and pregnant women.The main aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Bole sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the Prevalence of Anemia and its associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC at public health institutions of Bole sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from October - December 2019. Two hundred forty nine pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at public health institutions of Bole Sub city, Addis Ababa were involved in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaire supplemented by laboratory tests was used to obtain the data. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio demographic and associated risk factors. Data were entered on EPI info 7 and analyzed by using Stata version 15 software. Logistic regressions model was fitted to identify association between anemia and P values <0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of anemia among antenatal care attendant pregnant women of governmental health center in bole sub city, Addis Ababa was 52.61% [95% CI: 48.2, 54.9], means their hemoglobin level was less than 11g/dl. Of those anemic women’s 64(48.58%) were in mild and moderate and 3(2.29%) were in severe level. Anemia was significantly associated with Educational level, unable to read and write(AOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.07–10.67), and who were not iron supplemented on current pregnancy (AOR = 3.8 95% CI: 1.39, 10.68).
Conclusion: Anemia is found to be a sever public health problem in the study area. Statistically significant association was observed between anemia during pregnancy and being not educated mothers (unable to read and write) and no iron supplement intake during pregnancy. Strengthening health education and giving attention during antenatal care about additional diet and supplementation of iron foliate are very crucial in reducing the prevalence of anemia among pregnant mothers.