Anaemia at Booking and Related Factors in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in a Rural Health Facility in South-South Nigeria

Anaemia in pregnancy has remained a universal public health issue, causing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This prospective cross-sectional analytic study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking and other related determinants. It was carried out at the antenatal booking clinic, Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, Otuoke Outreach, Nigeria, from January 2017 to December 2020. The study utilized 770 pregnant women. A structured study pro forma was used to extract socio-demographic characteristics and other relevant data. Two to three drops of blood was collected from the participants and the haemoglobin was estimated using the HemoCue Hb 801 haemoglobin system. Overall the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking was 70.0% and the highest prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking occurred in primigravida. Anemia in pregnancy was more common in social Class 3; 308 (40.0%), and age; 25 ̶ 29: 66(32.3%). Moderate anaemia occurred more frequently in grand multipara 11 (18.5%) compared to other parities, but mild anaemia occurred more in para 2 to 4, 180 (67.2%). More than 50% of the women irrespective of social class had mild anaemia. Anaemia was more frequent in the 2nd trimester (56.4%). Expectedly, anaemia occurred more frequently in rural dwellers 603 (78.3%) compared to suburban 43 (5.6%) and urban dwellers 124 (16.1%). On factors related to anaemia at booking, there was significant association, between anaemia at booking with; social class p = 0.002, parity p = 0.011, and the trimester booking was done, p = 0.001.The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking was unacceptably high. Institution of preconception care, tailored surveillance and execution of policies aimed at prevention are apt, in the background of ensuring the education of the girl child.