Prevalence of anemia during pregnancy: results of Valencia (Venezuela) anemia during pregnancy study

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in Venezuelan pregnant women. By using a cross-sectional study, 630 Venezuelan pregnant women in their third trimester at labor from the Valencia Anemia during Pregnancy Study were studied. Anemia during pregnancy was defined according to WHO guidelines (Hb < 11 g/dl), iron deficiency was considered when serum ferritin level was < 12 ng/ml, and when serum folate level was < 3 ng/ml, it was considered as folate deficiency. 630 pregnant women (mean [+/- SD] age, 24 +/- 6.4 years) having an average of Hb 11.38 +/- 1.47 g/dl [95%CI = 11.27 to 11.50] were studied. No patient had hemolytic anemia nor clinical infections. Almost all patients were from low or very low socioeconomic status. Prevalence of anemia was 34.44% (severe: 1.8%, moderate: 15.2%, and mild: 83%). Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was present in 39.2% (95%CI = 32.7 to 45.7), prevalence of folate deficiency anemia (FDA) was 11.98% (95%CI = 7.6% to 16.3%). Combined anemia (IDA and FDA) occurred in 11.52% (95%CI = 7.27% to 15.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that multiparous (odds ratio -OR-: 1.95, 95%CI = 1.28 to 2.97, p = .002) and supplement use of iron (OR: .55 (95%CI = .33 to .91, p = .02) are associated with IDA. The factors associated with FDA were: supplement use of folic acid (OR: .37 (95%CI = .19 to .71, p = .003) and appropriate prenatal control (OR: .51 95%CI = .27 to .96, p = .04). Prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was found to be high. Educational efforts should be stressed in order to encourage improvements in the prenatal care visits.