Prevalence of anemia and socio-demographic factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal Hospital in Jaipur City, India.

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of anemia and socio-demographic factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal hospital. Material and methods: Total 100 pregnant women were selected for the study and the study was carried out from Sep 2011 to Jan 2012. Pretested and prestructured questionnaire was used to collect general information. Blood samples were collected by qualified technician for hemoglobin estimation. Socioeconomic classification by B.G. Prasad was adopted. Classification of anemia by WHO was used. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall prevalence of anemia among the pregnant women was found to be 63%. Factors such as level of education and socioeconomic status were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of anemia. Conclusion: There is a need for realization that health system should focus on various factors that contribute to the occurrence of anemia and include them as important mediators in the National Health Policy.