PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ANEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN FAMILY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT AT KFAFH

Background: Anemia is one of the common medical conditions among pregnant women. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia among pregnant females attending the Family Medicine Department (FMD) at KFAFH and to assess the risk factors contributing to it during pregnancy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among all pregnant women who visited the FMD at KFAFH on Monday. From April 2018 to April 2019

Results: The prevalence of anemia was observed to be 409 (40%). Maternal anemia was significantly associated with some risk factors, such as the gravidity, gestational age, antenatal care visit, history of abortion, history of bleeding in the current pregnancy, iron and folic acid supplements consumption, and planning of pregnancy were statistically significant between anemic and non-anemic women. However, we noticed that the age group and BMI were not statistically significant (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusions: To summarize, there is a significantly high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women who visited FMD in KFAFH, and such associated risk factors were determined.

Keywords: Anemia, Anemic pregnant women, the prevalence of anemia.