BURDEN OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AT KAUSAR HOSPITAL MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH CARE CENTRE KHAIRPUR MIR’S, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Anemia is the condition in which hemoglobin level may become lower than normal <11.0g/dl. According to an estimate, about one-third of the world's population (over 2 billion) are anemic. The study aimed to determine the Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women at Kausar Hospital Mother and Child Health Care Centre Khairpur Mir’s, Sindh, Pakistan. The cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2019. A total number of 100 pregnant women were randomly included in this study. A predesigned questionnaire was filled out by face-to-face interviews consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, including Name, Age, gestational age, educational level, occupation, and monthly income. Anemia was classified as per World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. The prevalence rate of Anemia in the present study was 69%. Minimum Haemoglobin levels were observed at 5.6 g/dL, and maximum Haemoglobin levels were observed at 12.4 g/dL with an average Haemoglobin of 10.05 g/dL ±1.44. Among them, 49% had mild anemia, 17% moderate anemia, and 3% severe anemia. At the same time, the patients were divided into age groups of 15-20 years, 21 to 25 years, 26 to 30 years, and 31-35 years to compare Anemia or Haemoglobin levels. Results showed a higher prevalence of anemia between the ages of 26 and 30. The minimum age was observed to be 20 years and a maximum of 35 years, with an average age of 28.12 years ±2.5 years.  It was observed that the prevalence of Anemia was higher in 7-9 gestational months; socio-economic factors (Age, Gestational month, Number of children, and income source) showed significant association with Anemia. The present study concludes that the Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women at Kausar Hospital was 69%. Among them, 49% had mild anemia, 17% moderate anemia, and 3% severe anemia.