Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Its Predisposing Causes Among Women Undergoing Antenatal Checkup at A Tertiary Care Hospital in Allahabad

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is a major health problem affecting about 50% of pregnant women and associated with poor pregnancy out- come.

Objective: To know the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy and its determinants

Method: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 400 pregnant women aged >16 years &≤ 45 years with sin- gleton pregnancy attending antenatal care clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Allahabad over a period of 1 year 8 months.

Result: About 75% of pregnant women were anaemic (Hemoglo- bin level < 11mg/ml) with about 14.5% being severely anaemic. Moderate anaemia was most common. A significant difference (p<0.001) was observed between anaemic and non-anaemic preg- nant women with respect to educational status, socioeconomic status & parity of women. Proportion of anaemic women was higher in age groups <20 years, joint families, women with vege- tarian diet. History of menstrual irregularities and prolonged cy- cles (length of flow >6 days) was reported in significantly higher proportion of anaemic women as compared to non-anaemic women.

Conclusion- Intensive Information Education & Communication on prevention of anaemia and economic upliftment of women, along with delayed 1st pregnancy, adequate gap between succes- sive childbirth is the key to reducing anaemia in pregnancy and its impact.