ABSTRACT
Introduction : Nutritional anemia is a major public health issue that affects women of all ages, notably those of reproductive age (15-49 years). Anemia has an adverse effect on the outcome of pregnancy including miscarriage, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, post-partum hemorrhages and stillbirth. Objectives: It is to estimate prevalence of anemia and to investigate socio-demographic and obstetric factors associated with the prevalence of anemia during preconception period. Method: We conducted a cross- sectional study among 306 reproductive age group (15-49 years) women who were residing in field practice area of Urban Health Training Center (UHTC) in sector-24, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India who are planning to conceive within a year. Study participants were selected from the records of the female health worker according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. Results: Out of 306 participant women, 76% were found to be anemic, out of which, 31% had mild, 55% had moderate and 14% had severe level of anemia. Education level significantly associated (P < 0.05) with presence of anemia as women with lower level of education had higher presence of anemia – 81.97% in primary education group and 79.17% among illiterate women. BMI, parity and family type was also found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the severity of anemia. Conclusion: Nearly three fourth Women who planned to conceive within a year had anemia. Out of women who had anemia, nearly three fourth had moderate to severe anemia. Education had significant association with presence of anemia and low BMI, Parity and type of family had significant association with severity of anemia.