Anemia among Pregnant Women and its Socio-Demographic and Reproductive Correlates:A Community Based Study

Background: The health consequences of anemia during pregnancy are well documented. The prevalence of anemia among antenatal women is still very high in India and it varies from region to region. Therefore a study was undertaken to assess the relationship between anemia and the contributory socio-demographic and reproductive factors.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of anemia and its contributory socio-demographic and reproductive factors among pregnant women

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 400 pregnant women above 18 years and beyond 12 weeks of amenorrhea in the field practice area of a private medical college for a period of one year. Hemoglobin was estimated by strip method using “Color scale test kit”. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to interview the women regarding their socio-demographic and reproductive details. Data was analysed using SPSS ver. 18

Results: Among the 400 pregnant women, 264 (66%) were anemic out of which 32%, 30% and 4% were mildly, moderately and severely anemic. Anemia decreased with age and literacy level. The odds of anemia was 1.69 times more in Muslims as compared to Hindus. Anemia was not associated with any of the reproductive correlates.

Conclusion: Overall prevalence of anemia was high among the women. This calls for an urgent need of imparting health education about anemia. Also all pregnant women should not only be registered as their pregnancy is confirmed but also ensured adequate intake of iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postnatal period.