Predisposing Factors to Anaemia among Pregnant women in Wassa East district of the Western Region of Ghana

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the factors which contribute to the high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Wassa East District, it was also to find out the adherence to current interventions implemented by the Ghana Health Service such as deworming, nutrition education and provision of Iron and folic Acid table during pregnancy and finally to determine the prevalence of anaemia in the district.

Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was employed in this study. A sample size of 50 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. Hbs of pregnant women were obtained from their maternity record books and other information was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: It was revealed that the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in the district was 74% which is above the National average of 45%. It also came to light that woman who were not using LLINs, suffered some form of food insecurity and were not on SP were most likely to have low HB level. It was also revealed that access to quality four- star diet which contains all the required nutrition was a major challenge to pregnant women in the district.

Conclusion: Efforts towards reducing anemia in pregnant should target improving food security. Ghana Health Service through the Reproductive and Child Health Unit, Nutrition and Health Promotion Divisions should intensify health education and lobby for nutrition sensitive interventions in their operational areas.

 

Author(s):

Iddrisu Kunamsi

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