PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY

Anemia was the common problem in pregnant women. Early detection and determine the cause and factors associated with anemia would help primary care physician for proper treatment and subsequently reduce both maternal and neonatal complication. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in pregnancy having their antenatal care at Sichon Hospital in southern Thailand. This cross sectional study was conducted. Medical records of total number of 326 pregnant women who had their antenatal care during May 2013 to November 2013 were included. Personal history and obstetric history were collected. The cut-off point of anemia was hemoglobin < 11 g/dl. The results revealed that prevalence of anemia in pregnant women was 13.8 %. Factors associated with anemia in pregnant women were monthly family income < 7,500 Baht (p-value = 0.027) and gestational age at first ANC >14 weeks (p-value < 0.001) Thus anemia in pregnancy remained one of public health problem in Thailand. Therefore, the determination of factors associated with anemia could provide appropriate care in early pregnancy.