Determinants of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at public health facilities in kacha birra woreda, southern Ethiopia: case-controlstudy

Abstract

Background: Anemia is responsible for 20% of maternal mortality worldwide, and it is associated with premature birth, low birth weight and infant mortality. In Africa, 57.1% of the pregnant women were anemic Moreover, anemia in pregnant women is a severe public health problem in Ethiopia, 62.7% of pregnant women were anemic in southern nation nationality and people’s region (SNNPR), and 22.5% of pregnant women are anemic. However, in study area there are few studies on the determinants of anemia and its associated factors therefore, this study aimed to investigate the determinant factors of anemia among pregnant women in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of anemia among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in public health facilities in kachabirra woreda. Methods: An institutional based un- matched case- control study was conducted among 117 cases and 227, controls in KachaBirra Woreda, Southern Ethiopia from February to May 2019. Data were collected By using interviewer administered questionnaires. Controls were pregnant women whose hemoglobin level 11 g/dl and above at their first antenatal care clinics and cases were pregnant women whose hemoglobin level less than 11 g/dl. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model were used to find predictors of anemia. Statically significant predictors of anemia were identified at p-value<0.05 and 95% confidence interval Results: A total of 344 respondents (117 cases and 227controls) participated in this study with 100% response rate. The major predicting variables for occurrence of anemia among pregnant Women were Rural residency [AOR= 2.9,95% CI:0.002-0.057] previous heavy menstrual blood flow [AOR=2.753, 95% CI: 2.66-28.529], Age of mother [AOR=4.013, 95%CI: 1.081-904], parasitic infection [AOR=6.395, 95% CI: 1.226 - 33.362],food taboo(aversion) [AOR= 3.916, CI: 95% 2.085- 7.356],consuming tea/coffee immediately after meal [AOR=18.495, 95% CI:6.891-40.639] were significant factors associated with anemia. Conclusion: Residence, previous heavy menstrual flow, age, parasitic infection, food taboo, tea/coffee consumption immediately after meal was significant factors associated with anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, anemia prevention strategy should include promotion of counseling on consumption of diversified and iron-enriched foods during pregnancy, prevention of parasitic infection as well as mass de- worming, awareness creation on cultural norms that makes food aversion during pregnancy.