Prevalence and predictors of anaemia in pregnancy among child-bearing women attending an antenatal clinic in a tertiary hospital, southwest Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related anaemia raises the risk of morbidity and death for both the mother and the unborn child. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of anaemia in pregnancy among women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) in a tertiary hospital located in the southwest, of Nigeria.

METHODS: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study that utilized a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted between August and October 2023 and included all pregnant women attending the ANC at Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti (FETHI). A total sample size of 277 was calculated using Leslie Fischer’s formula. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Venous blood samples were taken for packed cell volume (PCV) analysis. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for data analysis, and the level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05.

RESULTS: The majority (63.0%) were in the 25-34 age group. The prevalence of anaemia based on packed cell volume values, is 64.8%. Age group, spouse occupation (ꭓ2= 37.741, p<0.001), respondents’ occupation (ꭓ2= 48.888, p<0.001), and family monthly income (ꭓ2= 18.417, p<0.001) were associated with anaemia in pregnancy. Younger maternal age (15 -24years) is an independent predictor of anaemia in pregnancy.

CONCLUSION: Anaemia remains common among pregnant women receiving antenatal care. It is significantly associated with younger maternal age, low educational attainment, and poor household income. Context-specific strategies, with a strong focus on improving maternal nutrition and reinforcing social protection measures are required in low resource settings.