WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Aruna Kumari Rongali*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anemia affects almost two?thirds of pregnant women in developing countries and contributes to maternal mortality and low birthweight. Nutritional anemia as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy, globally affecting about 32 million women and at least half of all the pregnant women in middle and low?income countries. Objectives: To study the prevalence and degree of anemia among antenatal mothers attending private hospitals in Visakhapatnam district. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 primi and multigravida women who were attended antenatal clinic were included in the study after getting written informed consent. The haemoglobin was measured using automated cell counter method and those with haemoglobin level <10 g/dl were considered as anaemic. Results: The result of the study shows that prevalence of anemia was common among antenatal mothers (79.5%). It has been found that mild, moderate, and severe anemia account for 31.2%, 38.3%, and 10%, respectively. There was significant association between demographic variables such as religion (p=0.020) and occupation (p=0.001), premarital and obstetrical history age at menarche (p=0.001), menstrual flow (p=0.000), menstrual duration (p=0.038) with anemia. Conclusion: The present study concludes most of the antenatal women attending antenatal clinic were anaemic which is a serious public health problem. To prevent this anemia control program should be executed more resourcefully in this vital segment of population. Efforts should be aimed toward the early diagnosis and treatment of anemia well before the time of full term delivery.