Abstract:
Anemia in the postpartum period continues to be a public health problem all over
the world; predominantly in developing countries with a magnitude of 50-80%. It is also one of
the most common maternal morbidity and is strongly associated with postpartum depression in
the early postpartum period. However, still there is limited information on its magnitude and
contributing factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the Eastern part of the country.
Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of immediate postpartum anemia and
associated factors among postpartum women admitted to maternity wards in public hospitals.
Methods and Materials: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 20,
2021, to August 20, 2021, using a systematic sampling technique to select 484 participants. A pre tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and maternal chart review were used
to collect the data. About 2ml of blood was collected and analyzed using cell-Dyne 1800. Data
were entered into Epi-Data 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS 25. Multivariable logistic regression,
adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was carried out to estimate the
effect of independent variables on immediate postpartum anemia. In bi-variable analysis, varia bles having a p-value of < 0.25 were considered for multivariable analysis. Statistical signifi cance was declared at a p-value of <0.05.
Results: Overall, the magnitude of immediate postpartum anemia was 28.1% [95% CI: (23.7,
32.1)]. In the final model of multivariable analysis, predictors like no formal education [AOR:
3.91; 95% CI: (1.83, 8.33)], having antenatal care <4 visits [AOR: 2.74; 95% CI: (1.29, 5.80)],
cesarean delivery [AOR: 3.29; 95% CI: (1.83, 5.93)], maternal blood loss [AOR: 4.96; 95% CI:
(2.26, 10.86)], pre-delivery Hgb level < 11 g/dl [AOR: 5.62; 95% CI: 3.15,10.03)] and Iron Folate supplementation [AOR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.72)] were statistically associated with im mediate postpartum anemia.
Conclusion: In this study, the magnitude of immediate postpartum anemia is a moderate level
of public health problems. Women’s educational level, frequency of antenatal care visit, mode
of delivery, maternal blood loss, pre-delivery hemoglobin level, and iron-folate supplementation
were factors associated with immediate postpartum anemia. Therefore, promoting the benefit of
antenatal care, sustaining the provision of Iron-Folate supplementation and early identification
and timely interventions for risk factors of maternal blood loss is very crucial
