Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy is common public health problem with poor outcome for both mother and child. This study, aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among pregnant women in an urban community at the north of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 390 pregnant attending for antenatal care in one of eight Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in Hail city, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Among participants, 133 (34.1%) were anemic (hemoglobin level < 11 g/dl). Out of which, 24.9% were mildly anemic, 9.2% were moderately anemic and none of the participant was found to be severely anemic. The prevalence of anemia increased significantly with low income (p = 0.026), bigger family size (p = 0.020), higher parity (p = 0.023), longer menstrual cycle > 5 days (p = 0.042), bleeding during pregnancy (p = 0.028), infrequent intake of meat (p = 0.020), the habit of drinking tea just after meals (p = 0.019), past history of anemia (p < 0.001), clinical anemia (pallor) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, increased BMI (p = 0.002) and frequent intake of food from restaurants (p = 0.008) were found to be negatively associated with anemia among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: "In urban Hail region, Saudi Arabia, anemia among pregnant women was a moderate public health problem. Low income, bigger family size, higher parity, longer menstrual cycle > 5 days, bleeding during pregnancy, infrequent intake of meat, the habit of drinking tea just after meals, past history of anemia, and the sign of clinical anemia (pallor), were found to be significantly associated with anemia. These findings give insight to healthcare providers about the importance of early detection and management of anemia in early pregnancy. Further research utilizing prospective cohort design to study risk factors of anemia including rural areas, should be considered to support and extend the present study findings".