Befikadua Zekarias, Asrat Meleko, Abdu Hayder, Abraham Nigatu and Tilahun Yetagessu
Background: Even if anemia is a worldwide public health problem affecting numerous people in all age groups, particularly the burden of the problem is higher among pregnant women. Anemia is estimated to contribute to more than 115,000 maternal deaths and 591,000 prenatal deaths globally per year. Maternal mortality is the prime health indicator in any society. Therefore, this study aimed at determining prevalence of anemia and assessing associated factors among pregnant women which might help for intervention and further study. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) in Mizan Tepi University teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia. Materials and methods: Institutional based crosssectional study was conducted at antenatal care (ANC) departments of Mizan-Tepi university teaching hospital (MTUTH) from April 3 to May 3, 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the appropriate study unit. The data was collected using questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory investigation. Data was entered, cleaned and checked using Epi Info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed associated factors. Finally, the result was presented using frequency tables, figures and graph. Results and discussion: The overall prevalence of anemia using a cut off level of hemoglobin <11 g/dl (<33% Haematocrit) was 23.5% (72 /306). Out of all anemic pregnant women about 59.7% (43/72) were mildly anemic, 33.3% (24/72) were moderately anemic and 7% (5/72) were severely. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that previous chronic diseases with (AOR=6.695 CI [1.5, 29.8]), knowledge about anemia (AOR=0.216, CI [0.090-0.516]), excessive menstrual bleeding (AOR=3.361, CI [1.375, 8.217], history of malaria attack (AOR=7.936, CI: [3.807, 16.546]) and history of abortion (AOR=4.562, CI: [ 2.212, 9.412]) had significant association with anemia. Conclusion and recommendation: The finding on the prevalence of anemia obtained from this study emphasized the need for continuous strengthening of interventions on factors associated with anemia. Thus, awareness creation should be promoted through the strengthened health education on risk factors. Similarly it would be better if concerned stakeholders work on increasing the knowledge of pregnant women about anemia and its consequence as well preventive methods.
