Prevalence and determinants of anemia during the third trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Anemia during pregnancy is a significant health problem. We aim to measure the prevalence of anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy in a specific geographical area and identify its risk factors.

METHODS

A cross-section study was conducted in the antenatal clinic at Beni-Suef University Hospital on 383 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy. All enrolled women were interviewed about age, education, occupation, family income, vitamin intake, medical history, and nutritional history. A blood sample was examined for hemoglobin concentration from each enrolled woman.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia was 72%. Multiparity, infrequent antenatal visits, irregular intake of iron supplements, low weekly intake of meat and fruits, and frequent daily tea consumption were identified as risk factors for anemia. About 23.6% of the anemic women had small-for-gestational-age fetuses (RR = 25.2).

CONCLUSION

Anemia by the third trimester of pregnancy represents a major health problem in Beni-Suef, Egypt.