Prevalence of Anaemia among Pregnant Women of Rural Community in Vizianagaram, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Objective: Anemia is the most frequently observed nutritional diseases in the world. It is a major health problem that affects 25-50% population of world and nearly 50% of pregnant women. In India, anemia is the second most common cause of maternal deaths, accounting for 20% of maternal deaths. The main objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence of anemia among rural pregnant women of Vizianagram and to explore associated factors with anemia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Mother and child hospital, Vizianagram, Vizianagram district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Pregnant women with any age of gestation period, parity and age were recruited for study. Estimation of hemoglobin was carried by standard sahli’s pipette method. Anemia was classified according to WHO grading criteria. Results: Nine hundred eighty-six subjects were enrolled for the study of whom all the study subjects did not meet the criteria of WHO standards of normal grade i.e >11gm/dl. 100% anemic condition was seen. 52.73% has a mild degree of anemia, 40.97% have moderate degree of anemia and 6.28% of population has severe degree of anemia. Pregnant women in 1st trimester of their gestation period has higher prevalence rate than in 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Parity has not showed any significant relation with anemia. Conclusion: The study confirms that preventing anemia is a challenge. Efforts should be geared towards the early detection and treatment of anemia before delivery to avoid various maternal and fetal complications.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.5295   Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 21-25