Journal of Blood Medicine (Jan 2020)

Prevalence of Anemia and Its Associated Socio-Demographic Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Care Clinic at Kisugu Health Center IV, Makindye Division, Kampala, Uganda

  • Mahamoud NK,
  • Mwambi B,
  • Oyet C,
  • Segujja F,
  • Webbo F,
  • Okiria JC,
  • Taremwa IM

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 11
pp. 13 – 18

Abstract

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Naimo Khalif Mahamoud, 1 Bashir Mwambi, 1 Caesar Oyet, 1 Farouk Segujja, 1 Fred Webbo, 1, 2 John Charles Okiria, 1 Ivan Mugisha Taremwa 1 1Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Clarke International University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Lancet Laboratories, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Ivan Mugisha TaremwaInstitute of Allied Health Sciences, Clarke International University, P.O Box 7782, Kampala, UgandaTel +256774346368Email [email protected]/Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence, morphological characterization and associated socio-demographic factors of anemia among pregnant women attending Kisugu Health Centre IV, Makindye Division, Kampala, in Uganda.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that employed laboratory analysis of blood samples to determine hemoglobin concentration, and a structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic factors associated with anemia during pregnancy.Results: We enrolled 345 pregnant women aged 15 to 43 years. The median, interquartile range, and mean Hb levels were 8.1g/dL, 6.4 ± 2.1g/dL and 7.9g/dL, respectively. There were 89 participants whose Hb levels were indicative of anemia, giving anemia prevalence of 25.8% (95% confidence interval: 21.6– 29.8). Of these, 25 (28.1%) had mild anemia, 46 (51.7%) had moderate anemia, while 18 (20.2%) had severe anemia. Thin blood film examination showed normocytic-hypochromic (75.3%), then microcytic-hypochromic (21.6%), and macrocytic-hypochromic red blood cells (3.4%). The socio-demographic factors of gestational age, parity, and mother’s occupation were significantly associated with the risk of anemia (p< 0.05).Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women; with a majority of hypochromic-microcytic anemia. This may necessitate more anemia awareness and it requires institution of nutritional interventions to avert fetal-maternal complications.Keywords: anemia, morphological characterization, pregnant women, Uganda

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