Project Materials

KNOWLEDGE ON CAUSE AND PREVENTION OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate pregnant women’s awareness of the causes and prevention of anaemia at antenatal clinics, with a focus on the mother and child hospital in Akure, Ondo state. Specifically, the study looked into the causes of anaemia among pregnant women who visited an antenatal clinic. The study also looks at whether pregnant women who visit a prenatal clinic are aware of how to prevent anaemia. The study also investigates the influence of anaemia on pregnant women who visit prenatal clinics. Finally, the study evaluates the preventive steps that pregnant women might take to avoid contracting anaemia. The study used a survey descriptive research design. The survey generated 30 validated replies. According to the responses collected and analysed, the causes of anaemia among pregnant women are iron insufficiency, folate deficiency anaemia, vitamin B12 inadequacies, and infectious illnesses such as malaria, TB, HIV, and parasitic infections. Pregnant mothers who attend antenatal clinics are also aware of how to prevent anaemia. Furthermore, anaemia during pregnancy increases the risk of early birth, low birth weight babies, postpartum depression, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Finally, pregnant women can prevent anaemia by eating iron-rich foods like meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dried beans, and fortified grains; eating foods high in folic acid like dried beans, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, and orange juice; eating foods high in vitamin C like citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables; and taking a prenatal multivitamin and mineral pill with extra folate. The study so recommends that public enlightenment efforts be launched to educate the public on anaemia, its causes, risk factors, and complications. In addition, health education and promotion are needed, particularly to encourage all pregnant women to schedule antenatal care appointments early and to implement appropriate intervention measures. Information, education, and communication (IEC) initiatives should be focused on improving awareness and commitment at all levels. Furthermore, efforts should be put in place to raise awareness about anaemia. These should include information distribution through antenatal and under-five clinics, public radio, and community development meetings led by extension workers. Furthermore, obligatory education for girls should be implemented in order to prevent teenage and unintended pregnancy. This can also assist to delay the first pregnancy. Finally, distributing iron pills to adolescent girls and women after marriage, before conception, and during the inter-pregnancy interval will avoid iron shortage at the start of a pregnancy.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Anaemia is a condition in which pregnant women’s haemoglobin concentrations fall below 11 g/dl. Anaemia is one of the most frequent nutritional deficiency illnesses worldwide, affecting more than one-quarter of the population (1). Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion persons (25%), with 56 million pregnant women (4 and

1). It is estimated that 41.8% of pregnant women globally are anaemic. At least half of the anaemia load is thought to be attributable to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional condition in the world, impacting 2 billion people, with pregnant women especially vulnerable (1).

In developing nations, the prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy is 60.0%, with around 7.0% of women being severely anaemic (4). In Africa, 57.1% of pregnant women are anaemic (D6).

The most afflicted region is Sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 17.2 million pregnant women suffering from anaemia. This accounts for around 30% of total global cases (1). In Nigeria, anaemia affects 55.1% of pregnant women and 46.4% of non-pregnant women.

Anaemia during pregnancy is classified as severe when the haemoglobin concentration is less than 7.0 g/dl, moderate when it is 7.0 to 9.9 g/dl, and mild when it is 10.0 to 10.9 g/dl (5, 7, and 8). When anaemia affects 40.0% or more of pregnant women, it is considered a serious public health issue (10).

Anaemia in pregnancy can be caused by a variety of circumstances. Iron deficiency is responsible for 75% of anaemia cases during pregnancy (9). Malaria, helminth infestations, and HIV have all been linked to a high frequency of anaemia in Sub-Saharan Africa (11).

Loss of appetite and vomiting during pregnancy, as well as heavy menstrual flow before to pregnancy, have all been linked to anaemia (13). Socioeconomic conditions, abnormal demands such as multiple pregnancies, teenage pregnancies, maternal illiteracy, unemployment/underemployment, short pregnancy intervals, gestational age, primigravida and multigravida (15), smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are the primary causes of anaemia during pregnancy (12).