Factors associated with anaemia during pregnancy in a semi urban area Dehiwala Mount Lavinia: a case-control study

Abstract

Sri Lanka is much ahead in many health indicators when compared with other developing countries. However, this is not so with regard to indicators on nutrition, and the determinants are not only health but also economic, social and others. Therefore, to describe selected factors associated with anaemia during pregnancy; this study was conducted in the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area of Dehiwala - Mount Lavinia which is the field training area of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Following the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, anaemia was taken as haemoglobin level below 11.0 g/dl (6.8mmol/l). Cases were selected from all the antenatal clinics in the KDU Field Training Area during the study period of two weeks. For each case, two controls were selected who were the next two attendees with a haemoglobin level of 11.0 g/dl or above. Twenty three mothers with low haemoglobin levels were used as cases while 46 were selected as controls. Cases and controls were not different in respect to income level, other demographics, and particulars about previous pregnancies.Age, (OR = 0.3429 CI=0.1219-0.9644) and having taken worm treatment within the past 3 months (OR = 0.2132 CI=0.054-0.8208) were differ from each others. There were more housewives among the cases. Data were analyzed based on their breakfirst, lunch and dinner menus. Lunch was the main meal for both cases and controls. Consumption of animal proteins was more in controls than in the cases who were anaemic. Also they had their meals with less animal proteins. This study reveals, anaemic pregnant females were older than the controls and had not taken worm treatment during the preceding three months. Therefore, all pregnant females should be encouraged to take antihelmintics.