A STUDY ON MAGNITUDE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANEMIA IN ANTENATAL MOTHERS, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Jesna Merin Varghese, Anjana S., Swetha S., Nayanthara Thomas, D. Joanie Priya*

ABSTRACT

Background: Anemia occurs in pregnancy when Hb level are 11 g/dl(during the first and third trimester) or less than 10.5 g/d(during the second trimester of pregnancy). Based on the degree of hemoglobin concentration, it also defines anemia in pregnancy as mild (10.0-10.9g/dl), moderate (7.09-9g/dl) and severe (lessthan 7.0g/dl). Anemia during pregnancy is a major global public health issue, particularly in developing countries where there is an inadequate diet and intake of prenatal vitamins, iron and folic acid. It affects an individual’s physical and mental development, leading to low productivity and poor economic development of a nation. Anemia in the antenatal period is a common problem, which has been subject of research recently. Though, it is a common problem, it is a less researched topic in India. Hence, this study have been undertaken. The study aimed to assess the magnitude, severity, and associated factors of anemia at selected hospital in Chennai. The Objectives were to assess the magnitude of anemia in a selected hospital. Objectives/aim: To assess the magnitude of anemia in a selected hospital. to find associate between the magnitude of anemia in a selected hospital and risk factors of anemia and demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The non-experimental descriptive research design was used in this study. Quantitative approach was used in this study. The purposive Sampling technique (N=60) was used to assess the magnitude of anemia and to find associate between the magnitude of anemia and risk factors of anemia with their selected demographic variables. The data regarding demographic variables like age, educational status, social economic class, type of community, prone to communicable disease and the necessary data regarding magnitude and factors was taken from the outpatient department where antenatal mothers diagnosed with anemia like history of anemia, dietary pattern of mother, conception of iron and folic acid tablets , level of hemoglobin in mother ,chronic illness during pregnancy, stress during first trimester, was collected .The result showed that 60 Antenatal Mothers with Anemia was participated in this study. Results: the majority 57% of samples had moderate anemia (7-8.9g/dl) in first trimester, 57% of samples had moderate anemia (7-8.9g/dl) in second trimester and 80%of samples had mild anemia (9-10.9g/dl) in third trimester. Conclusion: we identified the magnitude and majority of anemia like mild, moderate and severe. The result shows that the frequency and percentage of anemic antenatal mother had moderate anemia in first trimester and second trimester and mild anemia in third trimester.

Keywords: Factors associated with anemia, Anemia, Antenatal mothers.