Risk Factors for Anemia Among Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Care Unit in Selected Jigjiga Public Health Facilities, Somali Region, East Ethiopia 2019: Unmatched Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background

Anemia is a significant public health concern in many developing countries, particularly during pregnancy, and it has adverse effects on mother and fetus/baby.

Objective

To determine the factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Jigjiga public health facilities, Somali Region, East Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based unmatched case–control study was conducted. The sample size was 228 pregnant women; comprising 114 presenting with anemia and 114 controls. Hemoglobin levels were measured using a portable heme analyzer. Socio-demographic, dietary, medical history, and nutrition-related data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epidata 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 for cleaning and analyses. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed and statistical significance was considered at a level of p<0.05.

Results

Three predictors of anemia among pregnant women were identified in this study. An inadequate intake of red meat (i.e. those who consumed red meat 1–2 times a month [AOR=7.245; 95% CI=(2.007–26.151)] or not at all [AOR=8.690; 95% CI=(1.795–42.072)]), and insufficient consumption of green vegetables (i.e. 1–2 times a week [AOR=2.970; 95% CI=(1.012–8.716)] or 1–2 times a month [AOR=8.057; 95% CI=(2.358–27.526)]) were associated with anemia. Also, having a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 23 cm was strongly associated [AOR=16.432; 95% CI= (5.240–51.526)] with anemia.

Conclusion

This study revealed three key factors to be associated with anemia among pregnant women in Jigjiga Town, namely reduced intake of red meat and green vegetables, and low MUAC. Interventions including nutrition counselling and enrolling pregnant women with low nutritional status in nutritional programs should be the core components of anemia control strategies, needed to address the high prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in developing countries.

Keywords:

• risk factors
• anemia
• pregnant women
• antenatal care
• Jigjiga Town

Abbreviations

DDQ, Dietary diversity Questionnaire; EDHS, Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey; IDA, iron deficiency anemia; MUAC, mid-upper arm circumference; RBC, red blood cells; SPSS, Statistical package for Social Sciences; WHO, World Health Organization.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our acknowledgment of selected public health facilities in Jigjiga for providing the approval to conduct the study. We would also like to express our gratitude to the data collectors for their cooperation and hard work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.