Anaemia in pregnant and non pregnant Yemeni females in Sana'a area

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence and predictors of anaemia among Yemeni females in Sana'a area and impact of anaemia on labour and outcome. Prospective community based randomized multicenter analytical and comparative study. AlSabein Hospital, AlHamzy MCH Center, Al-Olefi MCH Center, Yemeni Family Care Center, Al-Roudah Health Center and Omer Ibn AbdulAziz MCH Center from 1999-200l. 1800 pregnant Yemeni females were included in this study, 800 from Sana'a city reflecting the urban group, 500 were taken from Al-Roudah town reflecting the urban group and 500 during delivery. Also 300 non pregnant Yemeni females were screened for the presence of anaemia. A questionnaire was designed for all pregnant women. Heamogram, blood film, serum iron level, TIBC and serum ferritin level [by ELISA] were done for all the pregnant females. Heamogram as screening test was done for the non pregnant group. Chi square test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables. The prevalence of anaemia in pregnant Yemeni females was 16.2%. The prevalence of anaemia in non pregnant Yemeni females was 8.3%. The prevalence of anaemia during delivery was 19.2%. The most common cause of anaemia was iron deficiency anaemia [84.5%]. Pregnancy was found to be a definite risk factor for anaemia. Several risk factors were found to be conductive to anaemia in particular chewing qat and inadequate general health education. There was no statistically increased risk of complications in antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum periods