Prevalence of Level of Anemia and Risk Factors among the Antenatal women attending Antenatal Clinic at Selected Hospitals, Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Anemia is the serious health concern that increases the maternal morbidity and mortality, also affects the fetus throughout the life span places them with disability. Various factors may influence the hemoglobin status of women and increase the risk for iron deficiency anemia especially during pregnancy. Methodology: The Quantitative approach and Descriptive research design was used for the study. 90 Antenatal women who fulfil the inclusion criteria and available during the data collection period were selected using Purposive sampling technique. Self - developed questionnaire was used to collect the data using interview method. Results: The study revealed that Majority 80% of the antenatal women had moderate anemia, 17.78% of the antenatal women had mild anemia and least 2.22% of the antenatal women had severe anemia. There was a statistically significant association between Prevalence of level of anemia with Risk factors such as duration of initiation of IFA supplementation, dosage of Inj. Iron sucrose administered and treatment for anemia at p < 0.001. Conclusion: This study concluded that moderate level of anemia was highly prevalent among antenatal mothers attending Antenatal clinic at selected hospitals. Also, Risk factors such as treatment for anemia, of dosage of Inj. Iron Sucrose administered and duration of initiation of Iron and folic acid supplementation were more likely to influence the prevalence of anemia in the antenatal period. It suggests that more awareness and importance to preconceptional care must be created to prevent women entering into the pregnancy with low iron stores causing iron deficiency anemia.