| dc.description.abstract |
Background: Anemia during pregnancy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of pregnant women in developing countries and has both maternal and fetal consequences however, there is no research based evidence on this vital public health problem in Arba Minch town. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women in Arba Minch town.
Method: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 16 to April 8, 2015 among 332 pregnant women who attended ANC at government health institutions of Arba Minch town. Interviewer-based questionnaire supplemented by client card observation for laboratory tests were used to obtain data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of anemia.
Result: The prevalence of anemia (hematocrit value<33%) was 32.8%. High average monthly income of the family (AOR=0.21: 95%CI: 0.10-0.54), having birth interval more than two years (AOR= 0.4; 95%CI: 0.19, 0.86), Iron supplementation (AOR=0.55; 95%CI: 0.31, 0.99), eating food made 'enset' and its twice per month, 1 to 2 times per week, and more than 1 times per day were found to be protective against anemia at (AOR=0.22; 95%CI:0.07-0.73), (AOR=0.12; 95%CI:0.03-0.39) and (AOR=0.17; 95%CI:0.05-0.62) respectively. However, extended family size (>=5) (AOR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.17-6.8), were found to be significantly associated with anemia.
Conclusion and recommendation: Anemia is found to be a moderate public health problem in the study area. High average monthly income, birth interval more than two years, Iron supplementation and eating food made of root and tubers twice per month, 1 to 2 times per week, and more than 1 times per day were found to be protective against anemia. However, extended family size was found to be significantly associated with anemia. Therefore, awareness creation on birth spacing, nutritional counselling on consumption of iron-rich foods and Iron supplementation are recommended to prevent anemia among pregnant women with special emphasis on those having low income and large family size.
.......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH |
|