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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 10, Issue 1, February 2014 pp 166-171

Research Article

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women of Eastern Maharashtra

Kendre V. V.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Introduction: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is very high in India. There is an urgent need to rapidly expand efforts with respect to prevention and treatment of anemia among antenatal mothers. Purpose: To assess the prevalence and to study various socio-demographic factors and obstetric associated with it in pregnant women attending antenatal care in Urban Health Center, Latur. Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was undertaken among the pregnant women of Urban Health Center. Three hundred pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Pre structured and pretested questionnaire was used as a study tool. The questionnaire included topics related to socio demographic information, worm infections, gestational period, pregnancy gap and iron supplements, consumption of green vegetables, iron rich food items. Results: The prevalence of anemia was 94.3% in this study. Anaemia was more prevalent in the age group 21-25 years. there was significant association between anemia and age, socioeconomic status, consumption of green leafy vegetables, iron rich food items, history of worms, menorrhagia, presence of high risk pregnancy, age at 1^st pregnancy, use of contraceptives. But anaemia was not significantly associated with religion, residence, occupation, type of family, education, diet, age at marriage, gestational age, parity, history of abortion, piles, consumption of iron-folic acid tablets, child spacing, antenatal checkups. Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia in this study was higher in many other studies in Maharashtra as well as other states. This suggests that anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem. More emphasis should be given on prevention of anaemia during pregnancy to prevent further complications.