Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Public Hospitals in Marib city – Yemen

Abstract

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is considered a significant public health problem. It has an essential role in disabled life and death of pregnant women and their future children, mainly in developing countries. Pregnant women in Yemen in internally displaced camps remain at most exposed to anemia. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors related to anemia among pregnant women in Marib, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 pregnant women attending General hospitals from October 2023 to January 2024. The data were collected through structured pretested questionnaire, and via an interview. Laboratory investigations were done. Data Analysis: the data were statistically analyzed through SPSS program (version 21) using descriptive statistics, Chi square test for investigating the association between anemia and the independent factors. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia among study participants was 56.7%. The moderate anemia were the most prevalence among pregnant women (65.8%). Risk factors associated with anemia among pregnant women were displacement, level education, low family income, gestational age, space interval of birth, lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy, and one /zero consumption of monthly meat, liver and vegetables during pregnancy, habits such as taking tea immediately after meal and chewing of khat during pregnancy. Conclusion: prevalence of anemia in this study was public health problem. Several factors were found to be associated with anemia during pregnancy. Measures have to be taken to solve the problem by mass iron supplementation, family planning and health education towards risk factors that were associated with anemia to avoid them.