Prevalence of Anemia among Antenatal Women: A Cross Sectional Study from North Western India.

Background: Anemia during pregnancy is a global public health concern that can negatively impact maternal and fetal outcomes. It is a major health concern among antenatal mothers in India, and there is substantial variation in the prevalence of anemia in different parts of India. Understanding the problems in the regions of the country can help devise locally viable plans to mitigate the problem, and this study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia among antenatal women in north-western India.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study involving convenient selection of antenatal women was conducted in selected hospitals in Punjab, India, between July 2022 and December 2022. The data were collected using structured questionnaires. The prevalence of anemia and its contributing factors were ascertained using descriptive statistics as well as bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results: Out Of 300 pregnant women evaluated for anemia, 70.7% had anemia; 35.71%, 27.33%, and 7.75% had mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. Educational level (χ ² = 21.90, df = 299, p = 0.01) and family income level (χ ² = 12.46, df = 299, p = 0.006) were associated with anemia among antenatal women. Parity (χ ² = 15.58, df = 299, p = 0.01), gestational age (χ ² = 14.95, df = 299, p = 0.02), and consumption of iron and folic acid tablets (t ₂₉₉ = 60.56, p < 0.001) were pregnancy-related factors significantly associated with anemia.

Conclusions: According to this study, anemia in pregnant women is highly prevalent in north-western India and has a number of modifiable contributing factors. These factors should be considered for the prevention and control of anemia in pregnant women during antenatal care and visits.