Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a low blood haemoglobin concentration and has been shown to be a public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries. Pregnant women are the most vulnerable groups to anaemia due to several factors, including parasitic infection and feeding habits during their pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of anemia in pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women from February, 2017 to June, 2017. The data on determinant factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. The hemoglobin level and intestinal parasites were determined using Hemocue HB 201 and formol ether concentration techniques, respectively. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariate regressions were computed and odds ratio was determined at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The study consists of 743 participants with a median age of 25 years were included. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 79 (10.6%). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia were 78 (99.8%), 1 (0.1%) and 1 (0.1%), respectively. Pregnant women of rural dwellers (AOR = 3.72, CI =1.51-9.18), farmer in occupation (AOR = 3.51, CI = 1.75-7.01), and not educated (AOR = 2.25, CI = 1.13-4.48) were significantly associated with increased risk of anemia. CONCLUSION: Anaemia is still a problem amongst pregnant women in the study area though much has been done to increase the hemoglobin level during pregnancy. Health education should be given on factors that aggravate anaemia during pregnancy.