Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Registered at Antennal Clinic of Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo State, Nigeria

Anemia remains a major risk factor for unfavorable outcome of pregnancy both for the mother and the fetus. It is the world’s second leading cause of disability and one of the most serious global public health problems among children and pregnant women. Its diagnosis remains a challenge in poor and underfunded hospitals and primary health centers. This study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo town to assess anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic from August to October 2015. One hundred and fifty pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using pretested questionnaire, which contains socio-demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) levels. Data were entered and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Association between variables was done using chi square, and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. The mean age of pregnant women was 28.92±4.89 years and the prevalence of anemia obtained in this study using the Tallquist, Hemoglobin cyanide methods and PCV was 36%, 36.7% and 47.3% respectively, based on the World Health Organization criterion for the diagnosis of anemia in pregnancy (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl; PCV <33%). Our study revealed a high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and calls for more health intervention including health education about causes of anemia and its risk factors. Antenatal care follow up should also be improved on.