A study on magnitude of anaemia and its socio-demographic correlates among pregnant women in Sagar city of Bundelkhand Region, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: India is one of the countries with very high prevalence of anaemia in the world. Almost 58% of pregnant women in India are anaemic and it is estimated that anaemia is the underlying cause for 20-40% of maternal deaths in India. India contributes to about 80% of the maternal death due to anaemia in South Asia. First Anaemia reduces women’s energy and capacity for work and can therefore threatened household food security and income. Second, severe anaemia in pregnancy impairs oxygen delivery to foetus and interferes with normal intrauterine growth, resulting in intrauterine growth retardation, still birth, LBW and neonatal deaths. Therefore anaemia is a major contributor to poor pregnancy and birth outcomes in developing countries as it predisposes to premature delivery, increased perinatal mortality and increased risk of death during delivery and postpartum. Keeping this view in mind the study was carried out with the objectives to assess the magnitude and risk factors for anaemia among urban pregnant woman in Sagar City, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at the urban health training centre Chameli chauk, Sagar, MP,India from 1 st January to 30 th September 2014. A total 150 pregnant women were studied.   Results: Overall prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was found to be 74.7% of which maximum 44.7% were suffering from mild anaemia and 22.7% had moderate degree of aneamia whereas only 11 (7.3%) were severely anaemic. Religion, caste, educational attainment, socioeconomic status and parity come out to be important predictors of anaemia in pregnancy (P<0.05). Conclusions: In the present study prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women was found to be high specially among Hindus, Schedule caste, illiterates, low income group and Multiparous women, indicating very poor maternal and child health care in the region. So there is a need to intensify IEC activities to promote early antenatal check-up, dietary modification and utilization of family planning services in the region.