PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN OF IRON FOLATE SUPPLEMENTATION USERS AND NON-USERS IN DEBARK GENERAL HOSPITAL, NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Anemia is a situation in which the number and size of red blood cells, or the hemoglobin concentration fall below established cut-off values, consequently impairing the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen to the body. Globally, anemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds to 24.8% of the population. It is a public health problem that affects populations in both rich and poor countries. There is no any local recorded or published evidence and information available in the study area. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among iron folate supplementation users and non-users of pregnant women in Debark General Hospital, North western Ethiopia, from March 01 to April 30, 2022. Methods: An institutional based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted among 260 users of iron folate supplementation pregnant women and 131 non- users’ pregnant women. The simple random sampling technique was employed. Pregnant women were interviewed by using structured questionnaire and 3-4 drops of blood sample from the middle finger was collected to assess hemoglobin level and adjustments to altitude was done. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi data version 3.1 and Statistical Products for service solution version 23 software, respectively. A bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Significance level was considered at p-value less than 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of baseline and current anemia among pregnant women was 52.4% (95% CI = 47.3, 57) and 29.4% (95% CI = 24.8, 34), respectively. The proportion of baseline 53.4% (95% CI = 45, 62.6) and current 46.6% (95% CI = 38.2, 55) anemia among iron folate supplementation non-users pregnant women were higher than 51.9 % (95% CI = 45.4, 57.7) and 20.8% (95% CI = 15.8, 26.2) users pregnant women, respectively. Meal frequency two times and less per day (AOR= 2.53, 95% CI = 1.34, 4.73), took tea and coffee (AOR= 2.23, 95% CI = 1.05, 4.73), MUAC measurement < 23 cm (AOR= 2.17, 95% CI = 1.11, 4.22) were associated with anemia among iron folate supplementation users women whereas meal frequency two times and less per day (AOR= 4.23, 95% CI = 1.47, 12.18), had no intake of extra meal during this pregnancy (AOR= 3.47, 95% CI= 1.46, 8.21), MUAC measurement < 23 cm (AOR= 3.65, 95% CI = 1.12, 11.9) were associated with anemia among iron folate supplementation non-users pregnant women. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of anemia is higher than previous studies among iron folate supplementation non-usersand severe public health problem. Iron folate supplementation non-users pregnant women should be considered for prevention and control of anemia among.