Prevalence and factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy among pregnant mothers attending public health clinics in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

• Main Author: Thangarajah, Puganeswary
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/71057/1/FPSK%28M%29%202017%2027%20IR.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/71057/
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Introduction: Anaemia still is a threat towards women, pregnant women in particular. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factor associated with anaemia in pregnancy among pregnant mothers in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 482 pregnant mothers in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, using cluster sampling. Data was collected in April, 2017, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done via IBM SPSS version 22.0, comprising descriptive and inferential analysis. Result: Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 22.0% during the period of this study, with 95.3% only mildly anaemic. Majority were Malays (74.5%),at 3rd trimester (74.5%), 80.3% aged between 20 to 34 years old, 52.8% from rural area, 64.1% are with tertiary level of education, 51.9% were unemployed, 56.6% were multipara, 24.5% had their child spacing lesser than 2 years. Factors that are associated were maternal education (p= 0.003), parity (p= 0.039), child spacing (p= 0.037), seafood intake (p<0.001), presence of intake of Iron supplement during (p= 0.010), frequency of Iron supplementation intake (p<0.001), and the method of consumption (p=0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant association between maternal age with anaemia in pregnancy (adjusted OR = 2.941, 95% CI 0.404-12.316). Conclusion: This study revealed that only a small amount of respondents were anaemic and majority of them was having mild level of anaemia (Hb >9g/dL). All pregnant mothers should be emphasized on the protective effects of seafood and iron supplement during booking visit to prevent the onset of anaemia in pregnancy.