Anaemia in pregnancy still causes significant maternal morbidity and mortality in the developing countries including Nigeria.
The burden and underlying factors are varied even within countries. We studied the prevalence of anaemia at booking and
underlying factors in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Using the capillary technique and blood film, the packed cell
volume (PCV) and red cell morphology of 300 pregnant women was determined. Additional information was obtained on sociodemographic
characteristics, obstetric and past medical history using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Of the 300
pregnant women studied, 51 (17%) [95% Confidence Interval (CI)=12.9%-21.7%] were anaemic. Specifically, 12.7% and 4.3%
of the women had mild and moderate anaemia respectively. Blood film of 74.5%, 15.7% and 11.8% anaemic women showed
normochromic normocytic, haemolytic and microcytic hypochromic pictures respectively. Low educational attainment [Adjusted
Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.13], being single or divorced [AOR=2.02], high parity [AOR=2.06], late booking [AOR=2.71] and short
intervals between pregnancies [AOR=2.37] were significant predictors of anaemia in pregnancy. The high prevalence of anaemia
in pregnancy related to low educational and economic status especially among women with background obstetric risk factors
calls for vigilance, sustained health education and chemoprophylaxis for pregnant women (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[4]: 33-
41).