The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia in Pregnancy In Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

Abstract

     Anemia is a common problem among pregnant women. It leads health effects on both mothers and infants. Therefore this problem should be precedently prevented. This study aimed to investigate prevalence and factors related to anemia in pregnant women who had enrolled in Antenatal care (ANC) clinic of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital.
     A cross-sectional study was conducted in 318 pregnant women, who visited ANC clinic between March to September, 2015. Data were retrieved from medical records. Descriptive statistics were employed to describe sample characteristics and prevalence. Inferential statistics such as Chi square’s test and correlation were performed for testing the relationship between anemia and related factors. The p<0.05 was considered as a statistic significant.
     Results: The prevalence of anemia in pregnant women was 18.86. Those were likely to be majority in the pregnant women who had age less than 20 years old, secondary level of education, living in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, income lower than 9,000 baht/month, unemployed, more than 3 gravid, first ANC12 weeks, BMI at first ANC 19.80 kg./m2, 3rd trimester, and normal delivery. The related factors of anemia were HIV infection, BMI, body weight before pregnancy, hematocrit level at first ANC, body weight before delivery and length of stay in hospital when delivered (P<0.05).
     Conclusions: Maternal anemia roughly occurred 1 in 5 which was warning for authorities to be considered and should be focused on HIV status, BMI, and body weight before pregnancy anemia in pregnancy as essential priority. Necessary measures are needed on urgent basis to prevent such as early detection and surveillance in high risks pregnant women and treat anemia during pregnancy to avoid fetal and maternal complications.