Prevalence Of Anaemia Among Pregnant Women At Antenatal Care Booking In Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Anaemia is a global health problem which commonly affects women and children most especially in the developing countries. Anaemia in pregnancy is the most common haematological condition encountered among pregnant women in most developing countries including Nigeria. This prospective study was carried out to determine the red blood cell indices (PCV, Hb, RBC, MCH, MCV, MCHC) and the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. A total of 298 women who presented for booking at the antenatal clinic at different trimesters of pregnancy were enrolled in the study. There were 64 (21.5%) women in first trimester, 146 (49.0%) women in second trimester and 88 (29.5%) in third trimester. The mean age of the women was 25.8±3.2 years, and their ages ranged between 18-42 years. One hundred and eighty pregnant women had haemoglobin concentration < 11.0g/dl giving a prevalence rate of anaemia of 60.4%. Mild anaemia was found in 105 (58.3%), moderate anaemia in 72 (40.0%) and severe anaemia in 3(1.7%) of the pregnant women. There was significant correlation between anaemia and gestational age, parity and level of education at booking. This study indicated presence of high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and there is need for appropriate interventional strategies to be put in place so as to reduce prevalence of anaemia and improve pregnancy outcome in our environment.

Keywords: Prevalence, Anaemia, Pregnancy, Booking, Antenatal