Magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia and associated factors among mothers at selected public hospitals in North Shoa Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study in 2022

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is a worldwide public health problem affecting over 800 million reproductive-age women. In developing countries, postpartum anaemia is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, postpartum anaemia remains a public health issue.

Objective: To assess the magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia and associated factors among postpartum mothers who delivered at public hospitals in the North Shoa Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, in 2022.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data were collected using Kobo Collect software and exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between variables. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05, and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI was used to determine the strength of associations.

Setting: A facility based at three public hospitals in the North Shoa Zone from 25 August to 26 October 2022.

Participants: The study was conducted among 341 postpartum mothers.

Outcome: The primary outcome of the study was the magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia and factors associated with it.

Results: The magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia was 28.4% (95% CI (23.5 to 33.3). Factors significantly associated with immediate postpartum anaemia included postpartum haemorrhage (AOR: 4.95; 95% CI 2.09 to 11.76), history of abortion (AOR: 4.01; 95% CI 1.93 to 8.35), rural residence (AOR: 3.03; 95% CI 1.49 to 6.16), poor adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation (AOR: 2.66; 95% CI 1.27 to 5.58) and midupper arm circumference (MUAC) <23 cm (AOR: 2.19; 95% CI 1.08 to 4.42).

Conclusion: The magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia was a moderate public health problem. Factors such as postpartum haemorrhage, history of abortion, rural residence, poor adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and MUAC <23 cm were significantly associated with immediate postpartum anaemia. Strategies should be put in place to encourage early identification and preventive action for the risk factors of immediate postpartum anaemia.

Keywords: Anaemia; OBSTETRICS; Public health.

Figure 1. Comorbid disorders during pregnancy among postpartum mothers who delivered at North Shoa Zone public hospitals, Oromia Regional State, 2022. The figure illustrates the percentage distribution of comorbid disorders among postpartum mothers in North Shoa Zone, Oromia. Disorders include preeclampsia, helminth infestations, HIV/AIDS, malaria and others. The data are represented as percentages of the total number of mothers who experienced each condition during pregnancy.

Figure 2. Magnitude of immediate postpartum anaemia among mothers who delivered at North Shoa Zone public hospitals, Oromia regional state, 2022. The figure shows the distribution of anaemia severity among postpartum mothers in North Shoa Zone. Categories include no anaemia (blue colour), mild anaemia (red colour), moderate anaemia (green colour) and severe anaemia (light purple colour), with percentages representing the proportion of mothers in each category. The data highlight the prevalence of anaemia in the immediate postpartum period.