Prenatal alcohol consumption and risk of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to multiple health, social and, behavioral problems for both the mother and the offspring. Anemia is one of the major public health concerns and causes of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with poor maternal and fetal outcomes in developing countries. This study aimed to identify the link between prenatal alcohol consumption and anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods: A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women who were booked for antenatal care in selected public health facilities from 29 October 2019 to 7 May 2020 in Gondar town. We used a two-stage random sampling technique to recruit and include study participants in the cohort. Data were collected using a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was performed to examine the association between reported prenatal alcohol exposure (non-hazardous and hazardous) and anemia in pregnancy using log-binomial regression modeling. The burden of anemia in pregnancy was reported using the adjusted risk ratio and population-attributable risk (PAR).Results: A total of 1669(1113 unexposed and 556 exposed) pregnant women were included in the analysis. The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was 14.86% (95% CI: 13.23, 16.65). Hazardous alcohol consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with anemia in pregnancy (adjusted RR= 2.24; 95% CI: 1.60, 3.15), whereas there was no enough evidence for a statistical association between anemia and non-hazardous alcohol consumption during pregnancy (adjusted RR= 1.03; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.36). The adjusted PAR of anemia in pregnancy related to hazardous alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 7.68%.Conclusions: This study revealed that anemia during pregnancy continues to be a public health concern in Northwest Ethiopia. Regardless of timing, the clear association between prenatal hazardous alcohol consumption and increased risk of anemia during pregnancy suggests a need for targeted prenatal alcohol use and anemia screening, and ongoing intervention for alcoholic and anemic pregnant women.