Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnant Women in Mukalla-Yemen

Abstract

This study was done during the period from November 2002 to April 2004 in Mukalla hospital – Hadramout-Yemen . The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in a population of pregnant women . A total of 215 pregnant women and 40 healthy non-pregnant women as a control, ages ranging from 16 years to 44 years (mean age 26.3 year), were studied. Blood samples were taken randomly from each pregnant women presenting mother-child-health center (M.C.H) during different gestational age for follow up. Pregnant women under iron treatment or supplementation were excluded from this study. Haematological parameters were determined by coulter counter. For Pregnant with haemoglobin below normal (< 11 g/dl) and control group with haemoglobin < 12 g/dl, biochemical iron profile parameters were done to detect iron deficiency anaemia. Results showed that 82% of studied pregnant women were anaemic with mild to moderate degree of severity. Of these anaemic pregnant women, 77% had iron deficency anaemia, which was more common and severe during third trimester(89%). This high prevalence may be due to inadequate iron intake befor and during pregnancy. 37.5% of the control group were anaemic, of these 73% had iron deficiency anaemia. As a conclusion, anaemia in general and iron deficiency anaemia in particular showed a high prevalence rate among pregnant women living in Mukalla-Yemen.. Therefore, this study suggests that M.C.H services at the primary health care are not adequate and should be improved to be capable of dealing with anaemic pregnant women.