Prevalence of and maternal factors associated with anaemia in pregnant women at antenatal care booking in Tamale, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/Aims Anaemia in pregnancy is a severe public health problem in low- and middle-income countries with consequences for both pregnant women and babies. Prevalence rates and associated factors in most Ghanaian communities are unknown. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of anaemia and related factors at antenatal care booking among pregnant Ghanaian women in an urban setting. Methods This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women reporting for booking at the antenatal clinic of the Tamale Central Hospital in Ghana. A self-designed data collection tool was used and the anaemic status of participants was determined using packed cell volume cut-off (<30.0%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between participants' study variables and anaemia. Results A total of 606 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.7±5.4 years took part in the study. The prevalence of anaemia was 39.6%. Univariate analysis revealed that pregnant women aged 26–30 years (P=0.01) or >30 years (P<0.001), those who reported for booking in their first trimester of pregnancy (P=0.0043) and those who reported for booking during their second trimester (P=0.0011) were significantly associated with anaemia. In multivariate analysis, only women reporting for booking in their second trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with anaemia (adjusted odds ratio: 1.8, P<0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of anaemia at booking among pregnant Ghanaian urban dwellers remains relatively high and calls for improved education on maternal health, most notably on the need to report early for booking at antenatal facilities to improve both maternal and infant birth outcomes.