Socio-demographic determinants of anaemia in pregnancy at primary care level: a study in urban and rural Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Anaemia in pregnancy is a serious condition contributing to maternal mortality, morbidity and fetal morbidity. Data however available on this condition in Nigeria is mainly hospital based and biased towards women with high-risk pregnancies. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia and identify sociodemographic factors contributing to anaemia among low risk pregnant women attending primary care facilities. Five hundred and ninety seven pregnant women attending randomly selected primary care centres in urban and rural areas in Oyo State, Nigeria were enrolled and followed up till delivery of their babies. One hundred and ninety six (32.8%) of the mothers were anaemic. Prevalence of anaemia decreased with increasing maternal age in both urban and rural areas. Regression analysis showed that urban mothers (P = 0.003) and those who booked late in pregnancy (P = 0.048) were significantly more likely to be anaemic. Mothers with birth intervals 24 -35 months and women between the ages 20-29 years (P = 0.011) had a lower risk for anaemia. Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is still high in Nigeria. Effort should be made to ensure that mothers attend antenatal clinic early. Longer birth spacing should be encouraged through the use of effective contraception.