Prevalence of Anaemia at Booking amongst Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Some Health Facilities in Ogoni, South-South Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is an indirect cause of maternal mortality. Myriad of factors predispose pregnant women to anaemia in pregnancy in the developing countries of the world of which poverty, illiteracy and ignorance are central. The prevalence of anaemia in the developing countries of the world is between 32% and 62.2%.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia amongst antenatal clinic attendees in Ogoni, South-South Nigeria and offer preventive measures.

Material and Methods: This was a retrospective four months cross-sectional study of antenatal clinic attendees at booking in three (3) primary health care facilities and general hospitals Bori and Tera, in Ogoni, South-South Nigeria. Three hundred and eighty (380) pregnant women’s biodata including their packed cell volume were collected. These pieces of information were computed using a structured proforma. The data were coded and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 25.

Results: The mean age of the study antenatal clinic attendees was 28 years. The mean gestational age at booking was 25weeks. The range for the packed cell volume was 25% to 36% and the mean packed cell volume at booking was 30%. Three hundred and eighteen (318) (84.0%) had anaemia (with packed cell volume less than 33%). Majority of patients 249 (65.6%) had mild anaemia There was none with severe anaemia. Majority of patients had secondary level of education represented by 275 (72.3%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia amongst antenatal clinic attendees at Ogoni was 84.0%. The role of pre-pregnancy care amongst women desirous of pregnancy, familly planning and the role of education cannot be over emphasized in the prevention of anaemia in pregnancy.