Main Article Content

Abstract

The study determined the factors influencing anemia among pregnant women in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of Ghana. This study employed a hospital-based cross-sectional study design to assess the risk factors for anemia among pregnant women. About 430 pregnant women attending antenatal care services in all health facilities in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa district were used as respondents for the study. Data were collected quantitatively using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered using a face-to-face interview process. The data were analyzed using STATA version 15 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas 77845, USA). Pearson’s chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to find the variables significantly associated with anemia in pregnancy at a p-value of 0.05. The findings showed the respondents were within the age range of 15 to 45 years, with a mean age of 26.36 years. Only 49.07% of them had visited ANC at least 4 times. Additionally, 50.93% of them started ANC attendance in the first trimester of their pregnancy. The majority of them (89.77%) attended ANC regularly. Most of them indicated that they took routine ANC drugs, and among them, 91.75% took iron supplements, 87.63% took folic acid, and 49.74% took Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and 66.75% took multivitamins. Despite the regular ANC attendance, high intake of iron and folic acid supplements, and high utilization of ITN, the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy at 36 weeks of gestation in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa district was high. Anemia at 36 weeks of gestation was significantly associated with factors such as the number of ANC visits, gravidity, gestational age at the start of ANC, malaria infection, and intake of food supplements. To address the burden of anemia in pregnancy in the district, it is vital to note that supplements alone are not adequate. There, therefore, is a need for intensive education on other strategies such as deworming, nutrition, and adherence to Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine to improve general health in women before and during pregnancy. 

Keywords

Anemia pregnancy pregnant women Twifo Atti-Morkwa

Article Details

How to Cite
Fiavor, F., Portia Mwini-Nyaledzigbor, P., Hector Amonoo, G., & Ofori, Y. (2022). Contributing Factors of Anemia in Pregnancy in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District in Ghana. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Research, 10(1), 1345–1370. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/65657865

References

  1. Abbaspour, N., Hurrell, R. & Kelishadi, R. (2014). Review on iron and its importance for human health. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19 (2), 164–174. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999603/
  2. Aboud, S. A. E. H., El Sayed, H. A. E., & Ibrahim, H. A. F. (2019). Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women in Tabuk Region. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Allied Sciences, 8(2-15).
  3. Addis Alene, K., & Mohamed Dohe, A. (2014). Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women in an urban area of Eastern Ethiopia. Anemia, 2014.
  4. Ademuyiwa, I. Y., Ayamolowo, S. J., Oginni, M. O., & Akinbode, M. O. (2020). Awareness and prevention of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria 1(6-17).
  5. Alene, K. A., & Dohe, A. M. (2014). Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in an Urban Area of Eastern Ethiopia, 2014. 9(189-197).
  6. Al-Farsi, Y. M., Brooks, D. R., Werler, M. M., Cabral, H. J., Al-Shafei, M. A., & Wallenburg, H. C. (2011). Effect of high parity on occurrence of anemia in pregnancy: a cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 11 (1), 1-7
  7. Alflah, Y. M., Wahdan, I. H., Hasab, A. A., & Tayel, D. I. (2017). Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia in Pregnancy, Sana’a, Yemen. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 6 (3), 213-.222
  8. Allali, S., Brousse, V., Sacri, A. S., Chalumeau, M., & de Montalembert, M. (2017). Anemia in children: prevalence, causes, diagnostic work-up, and long-term consequences. Expert review of hematology, 10 (11), 1023-1028.
  9. Allen, L., Benoist, B. De, Dary, O. & Hurrell, R. (2006). Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients 3(18-33).
  10. Al-Mekhlafi, H. M., Al-Zabedi, E. M., Al-Maktari, M. T., Atroosh, W. M., Al-Delaimy, A. K., Moktar, N., Surin, J. (2013). Effects of vitamin A supplementation on iron status indices and iron deficiency anaemia: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 6 (1), 190–206. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6010190
  11. Aluko, J. O., & Oluwatosin, A. O. (2012). Utilization of insecticide treated nets during pregnancy among postpartum women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 12 (1), 1-7.
  12. Appiah, P. K., Nkuah, D., & Bonchel, D. A. (2020). Knowledge of and adherence to Anaemia prevention strategies among pregnant women attending antenatal care facilities in Juaboso district in Western-north region, Ghana. Journal of Pregnancy, 5(9-19).
  13. Atindama, S., Ayamba, E. Y., Agorinya, I., Alhassan, M., Kagura, J., Yidana, A. & Kaburise, M. B. (2019). Descriptive epidemiology of anaemia among pregnant women initiating antenatal care in rural Northern Ghana. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 11 (1), 1-7.
  14. Ayesha, M. (2012). Impact of maternal education, and socioeconomic status on maternal nutritional knowledge and practices regarding iron rich foods and iron supplements. Ann Pak Inst Med Sci, 8(104-117).
  15. Bereka, S. G., Gudeta, A. N., Reta, M. A., & Ayana, L. A. (2017). Prevalence and associated risk factors of anemia among pregnant women in rural part of JigJiga City, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross sectional study. J Preg Child Health, 4 (337-345).
  16. Burd, I., & Dozier, T. (2017). Anemia in Pregnancy – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved February 7, 2019, from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P02428
  17. Chan, M. (2011). Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 8 (1–6).
  18. Charles, A. M., Campbell-Stennett, D., Yatich, N., & Jolly, P. E. (2010). Predictors of anemia among pregnant women in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Health Care for Women International, 31 (7), 585-598.
  19. Chathuranga, G., Balasuriya, T., & Perera, R. (2014). Anaemia among Female Undergraduates Residing in the Hostels of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.Anemia, 2014, 526308.
  20. Chowdhury, H. A., Ahmed, K. R., Jebunessa, F., Akter, J., Hossain, S., & Shahjahan, M. (2015). Factors associated with maternal anaemia among pregnant women in Dhaka city. BMC Women’s Health, 15, 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-015-0234-x
  21. da Cunha, M. S. B., Siqueira, E. M. A., Trindade, L. S. & Arruda, S. F. (2014). Vitamin A deficiency modulates iron metabolism via ineffective erythropoiesis. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 25 (10), 1035–1044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2014.05.005
  22. da Silva, L. L. S., Fawzi, W. W., Cardoso, M. A., & ENFAC Working Group. (2018). Factors Associated with anemia in young children in Brazil. PloS one, 13(9), e0204504.
  23. Dako-Gyeke, M., & Kofie, H. M. (2015). Factors influencing prevention and control of malaria among pregnant women resident in urban slums, Southern Ghana. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 19 (1), 44-53.
  24. Darko, E., Tetteh, J., Ayanore, M. A., & Damoah-Aferi, I. (2019). Socio-demographic determinants associated with ownership and use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 33.(944-956)
  25. De Andrade Cairo, R. C., Rodrigues Silva, L., Carneiro Bustani, N., & Ferreira Marques, C. D. (2014). Iron deficiency anemia in adolescents; a literature review. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 29 (6), 1240–9.
  26. Dwumfour-Asare, B., & Kwapong, M. A. (2013). Anaemia awareness, beliefs and practices among pregnant women: a baseline assessment at Brosankro community in Ghana. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 3(15), 1-10.
  27. Gebre, A., & Mulugeta, A. (2015). Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women in North Western zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 9(19-129).
  28. Gebremedhin, S. (2014). Effect of a single high dose vitamin A supplementation on the hemoglobin status of children aged 6-59 months: propensity score matched retrospective cohort study based on the data of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2011. BMC Pediatrics, 14, 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-79
  29. Gebreweld, A., & Tsegaye, A. (2018). Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Advances in Hematology, 10(170-179).
  30. Ghimire, N., & Pandey, N. (2013). Knowledge and practice of mothers regarding the prevention of
  31. anemia during pregnancy, in teaching hospital, Kathmandu. Journal of Chitwan Medical College, 3(3), 14-17.
  32. Gibore, N. S., Ngowi, A. F., Munyogwa, M. J., & Ali, M. M. (2021). Dietary habits associated with anemia in pregnant women attending antenatal care services. Current Developments in Nutrition, 5 (1), nzaa178.
  33. Hegazy, A. A., Zaher, M. M., Abd El-Hafez, M. A., Morsy, A. A., & Saleh, R. A. (2010). Relation between anemia and blood levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron among children. BMC research notes, 3(1), 1-9.
  34. Horowitz, K. M., Ingardia, C. J., & Borgida, A. F. (2013). Anemia in Pregnancy. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, 33 (2), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cll.2013.03.016
  35. Ikamari, L., Izugbara, C., & Ochako, R. (2013). Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy among women in Nairobi, Kenya. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 13(1), 1-9.
  36. Ismail, M.R., Ordi, J., Menendez, C. (2012). Placental pathology in malaria: a histological, immunohistochemical and quantitative study. Human Pathology, 31, 85-93.
  37. Jufar, A. H. andZewde, T. (2014). Prevalence ofanaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at TikurAnbessa specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Journal of Hematology and Thromboembolic Diseases 2(1): 2329-8790.
  38. Kanmiki, E. W., Awoonor-Williams, J. K., Phillips, J. F., Kachur, S. P., Achana, S. F., Akazili, J., & Bawah, A. A. (2019). Socio-economic and demographic disparities in ownership and use of insecticide-treated bed nets for preventing malaria among rural reproductive-aged women in northern Ghana. PloS One, 14 (1-15).
  39. Koyuncu, K., Turgay, B., Şükür, Y. E., Yıldırım, B., Ateş, C., & Söylemez, F. (2017). Third trimester anemia extends the length of hospital stay after delivery. Turkish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 14 (3), 166.