European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA AND MANAGEMENT AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN A NIGERIAN TERTIAL HOSPITAL

A. A. Mgbahurike* and Q. Olekanma

ABSTRACT

Anaemia, a global public health challenge, is a reduction in the haemoglobin concentration in the peripheral blood, below that adequate for age, gender and place of residence. About 20% of maternal deaths in Africa have been attributed to anaemia and babies whose mothers had anaemia in pregnancy during their first trimester in-utero experienced higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in their adult life than babies whose mothers did not have anaemia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its drug management among pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of UPTH between July 2023 and December 2023. A total of 200 pregnant women were randomly selected after calculating the sample size. Data extracted from the patients’ folders include: demographic data (age, social status, ethnic group), gestational age, packed cell volume (PCV) (before and after drug use), medications used for management. The PCV value was used as a marker for anemia. Structured questionnaire was administered to those who gave their consent to obtain the effectiveness of the medication/s used. The result showed that the prevalence of anaemia in this study is 43.5% with the moderate anaemia being the commonest (42.5%). Severity and prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy increased with gestational age from 7% in the first trimester, 24.5% in the second trimester to 58.5% in the third trimester. Ikwerres have a prevalence of 12.5%, Yorubas 28.5%, Igbos 36% and 18% among other ethnic groups in Rivers State. Iron supplement, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplement usage among pregnant women were 19%, 30.5% and 26% respectively. The study identified a correlation between anaemia and parity independent of its impact on fetal health. Maternal anemia increases the risk of maternal morbidity, therefore, it is very important to prevent and to treat maternal anemia.

Keywords: Anaemia, Prevalence, Pregnant women, Pack cell volume.