Anaemia among Third-trimester Pregnant Women in a Community Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Anaemia has haemoglobin levels of less than 11/100 ml in the first and third trimesters and less than 10/100 ml in the second. Maternal anaemia is a global health issue that has a negative impact on neonatal outcomes. The prevalence is more common in developing nations like Nepal. Positive correlations have been found between third-trimester maternal haemoglobin and neonatal birth weight. Our study aimed to find out the prevalence of anaemia among third-trimester of pregnant women in a community hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from September 2020 to September 2021. Ethical approval was taken from the Nepal health research council (Registration number: 577/2020P). The haemoglobin level of 375 participants was recorded. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Convenience sampling was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of a total of 375 pregnant females in the third trimester, 31 (8.27%) (5.48-11.06, 95% Confidence Interval) were anaemia. Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia was lower as compared to other studies done in similar settings.

Keywords

• anemia; maternal-child health services; prevalence.