Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia among Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study.

Dr. Ashwini Ganeshrao  Gaikwad; Jagruti Ratnakar  Keskar; Deepak Ashok  Kubde

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2691

Authors

Dr. Ashwini Ganeshrao Gaikwad Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.
Dr. Jagruti Ratnakar Keskar Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.
Dr. Deepak Ashok Kubde Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2691

Keywords:

Anaemia, pregnancy, antenatal care, haemoglobin, iron and folic acid, determinants, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background:

Anaemia during pregnancy remains a major public health concern because it affects maternal well-being, fetal growth, and pregnancy outcome. Its burden differs across regions and is influenced by nutritional, socioeconomic, and obstetric factors.

Objectives:

To estimate the prevalence and severity of anaemia among pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital and to identify selected sociodemographic, nutritional, and obstetric determinants associated with anaemia.

Methods:

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India, from September 2025 to March 2026. A total of 100 pregnant women attending the antenatal outpatient department were included. Data on age, residence, education, socioeconomic status, gravidity, trimester, body mass index, dietary pattern, iron and folic acid intake, and interpregnancy interval were collected. Haemoglobin level was recorded, and anaemia was classified according to standard haemoglobin-based severity categories. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for analysis.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 24.8 ± 4.1 years. The mean haemoglobin level was 10.4 ± 1.3 g/dL. Anaemia was present in 68.0% of pregnant women. Mild, moderate, and severe anaemia were observed in 29.0%, 34.0%, and 5.0% of participants, respectively. Anaemia was significantly associated with rural residence, lower socioeconomic status, multigravida status, third trimester, short interpregnancy interval, underweight body mass index, and irregular iron and folic acid intake.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrated a high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women attending the tertiary care hospital. Poor nutritional status, irregular supplement intake, lower socioeconomic background, multigravida status, and advanced gestational age were important associated determinants.

Recommendations:

Strengthening antenatal screening, nutrition counselling, iron and folic acid compliance monitoring, and focused follow-up of high-risk pregnant women is recommended to reduce the burden of anaemia.

Author Biographies

Dr. Ashwini Ganeshrao Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India. Her academic and clinical work focuses on antenatal care, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, maternal nutrition, and obstetric risk assessment. She is actively involved in undergraduate teaching, patient care, and clinical research related to maternal and perinatal outcomes. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7104-5839
Dr. Jagruti Ratnakar Keskar, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India. Her areas of interest include high-risk pregnancy, maternal health, fetal surveillance, and preventive obstetric care. She contributes to clinical teaching, obstetric services, and research activities aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes in tertiary care settings.
Dr. Deepak Ashok Kubde, Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Medicine at Parbhani Medical College, R. P. Hospital & Research Institute, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India. His clinical and academic interests include metabolic disorders, hypertension, cardiovascular risk assessment, and medical conditions complicating pregnancy. He is engaged in clinical care, medical education, and interdisciplinary research involving maternal metabolic health and systemic disease outcomes.

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