Anemia in pregnant women in Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, 2016

Abstract

    Anemia in pregnancy is an important contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. To assess the prevalence of anemia amongst pregnant women is necessary to provide evidence for implementation of appropriate interventions. This study was conducted with the aims to determine the prevalence, levels and distribution of anemia amongst pregnant women in Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province.

    A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 536 pregnant women from December 2015 - June 2016. Blood sample taken from all the study participants followed by a structured questionnaire interview.

   Results: the prevalence of anemia was 27.2% with 80.1% classified as mild anemia and 19.9% as moderate. The prevalence of anemia in the mountainous areas of the province (32,4%) was higher than in the lowland and seacoast areas. Anemia was very high amongst women belonging to the Van Kieu ethnic group (41,9%); working in kaingin land (41%); having ³3 children (38%); living in poverty (36,1%), aged >35 years (31,6%); and being illiterate (31,7%). Interventions aimed to prevent anemia amongst pregnant women should prioritize the groups of women with very high anemia prevalence mentioned above.