Prevalence and Factors Associated With Anemia Among Pregnant Women Attending AMDA Hospital of Eastern Nepal
Abstract BackgroundAnemia is a global public health problem, consisting 40% of pregnant women being anemic worldwide. Manifold factors directly or indirectly contribute to anemia during pregnancy and amplify the risk of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. However, factors associated with anemia among pregnant women are not broadly understood in sub-national level. Thus, this study has made an effort to ascertain the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among pregnant women in AMDA Hospital of Eastern Nepal. MethodsHealth-facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women of age 18-49 years attending antenatal care (ANC) in AMDA Hospital. A total of 420 samples were recruited through systematic random sampling. Data was collected through a validated semi-structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin concentration was recorded from laboratory test report. Collected data were entered in EpiData and analyzed in SPSS Version 22 licensed by Chulalongkorn University. Chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis and later, significant variables at p-value<0.10 were processed on multivariate analysis. Finally, the adjusted odd ratio was reported considering significant at p-value <0.05 with 95% confidence interval. ResultsThe overall prevalence of anemia was 42.1% (37.4%–47.0%). Almost 46%, 41% and 14% of women were with mild, moderate and severe types respectively. Factors such as age less than 20 years (7.23, 2.50–20.87) and between 20- 24 years (2.80, 1.31–5.96), religious minorities (3.09, 1.35–7.06), vegetarian diet pattern (4.33, 1.49–12.59), inadequate frequency (DGLV: once a week, fruits: twice in a week) of eating DGLV (8.71, 2.26 – 33.63) and fruits (2.73, 1.41–2.29), inadequate dietary diversity (7.16, 3.15–16.27), as well as no intake of multivitamins during pregnancy (4.23, 1.49– 11.98) were statistically associated with anemia among pregnant women. ConclusionOverall, the prevalence of anemia was found to be high in the study area. The associated factors of anemia ranged from socio-economic, dietary and obstetric care, and included age, religion, diet pattern, and frequency of eating DGLV and fruits, dietary diversity, as well as intake of multivitamins during pregnancy. The study recommends enhancing community-based interventions considering the identified factors.