Abstract:
Background: Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is
insufcient to meet physiologic needs, which varies by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status. The study
aim is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending a hospital
in southern Ethiopia using a structured interview administered questionnaire.
Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 01–April 30 2015 at Butajira General Hospital, Ethiopia. A total of 217 women responded to the questionnaire and provided blood and stool samples for analysis.
Data were analyzed using Statistical packages for social sciences version 20 for windows.
Result and conclusions: The overall burden of anemia in this study was 27.6%. Residence, ANC follow up, history of
excess menstrual bleeding and interpregnancy interval were statistically associated with anemia among the pregnant women. Therefore, working in the identifed gaps could reduce the current burden of anemia among pregnant
women in the study area.
