Prevalence of anaemia and predisposing factors of anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kampala - Uganda

Abstract

Anemia is a life-threatening condition among pregnant women in Uganda and the world at large. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of anemia and the predisposing factors of anemia among pregnant women at Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kampala. A cross-sectional study involving 273 pregnant women who were questioned about their socio-demographics, health and hospital generated information. Intravenous blood samples were collected from pregnant women, who participated, in the laboratory and complete blood count (CBC) tests done. CBC reports were used to record hemoglobin levels, which determined anemia status. The data obtained and collected was entered and cleaned in MS excel to obtain the description of the demographics and analysis done using STATA version 15 and logistic regression. The prevalence of anemic pregnant women was found to be 11%. Adult anemic pregnant women were 8 making 2.9% prevalence, 21 youths with 7.7% prevalence. 24 anemic pregnant women resided in urban areas while 5 resided in rural areas making 8.8% and 1.8% prevalence respectively. Tertiary education level had 18 anemic pregnant women (6.6% prevalence), secondary with 9(3.33% prevalence) and 2 women under primary level with 0.7% prevalence. Informal occupation included 21 women (7.7%) and 9 women formal of 2.9% prevalence. 10 Catholic pregnant mothers (3.7% prevalence) were anemic, 6 Anglicans (2.2%), 8 Pentecostals (2.9%), 4 Muslim and 1 SDA anemic pregnant women making 1.47% and 0.37% prevalence respectively. The study established that the prevalence of anemia was more pronounced among mothers with their first pregnancy, women with lost pregnancies, history of hereditary conditions and among pregnant women with low education level attending antenatal care at Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kampala. Based on the study findings, management, by monitoring, of first-time pregnant mothers needs much attention by the health facilities with antenatal care services. Health facilities should emphasize and thoroughly educate all pregnant mothers about the preventive measures against anemia to mothers who attend antenatal care. Sensitization programs about anemia and its prevention should be conducted in all parts of the country by deploying trained health personnel to conduct periodic medical campaigns teaching mothers about anemia and antenatal care services should be extended to all health facilities in communities to allow easy accessibility by all people even in rural areas.