Anaemia in pregnancy at booking: prevalence, risk factors and perinatal outcomes among antenatal clinic attendees in a secondary healthcare facility in North Central Nigeria: an analytical study

Abstract Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is an unacceptable public health problem in most developing countries inclusive of Nigeria where access to adequate nutrition and healthcare services is limited. Objectives : This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity of anaemia, associated factors (socio-demographics, maternal, medical history, obstetric history, gynaecological history, substance abuse and laboratory findings) at booking and perinatal outcomes among parturient who present for booking at the antenatal clinic of a secondary health facility in north-central Nigeria. Methods : An analytical study that involved 1,141 parturient who presented at the booking clinic between 14 October, 2022 and 14 October, 2023. With the aid of a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire, data on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrics and gynaecological history, substance abuse, 24-hour dietary recall and other relevant histories, were collected from consecutive parturient who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and consented to the study. A sample of venous blood was collected using aseptic technique to obtain a packed cell volume by microhaematocrit method. Diagnosis of anaemia at booking was based on the World Health Organization definition of anaemia in pregnancy: haemoglobin concentration less than 11g/dl in the first and third trimester and 10.5g/dl in the second trimester. All parturient who had anaemia were also investigated for the aetiology of the anaemia; full blood count, rapid diagnostic test for malaria, Human Immunodeficiency Virus screening, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C, urinalysis and stool microscopy. Parturient whose condition was amenable to treatment during pregnancy were treated while others were counselled and referred to appropriate clinics following delivery. All parturient however received haematinics throughout the duration of pregnancy. The results were analysed using SPSS version 24, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the independent determinants of anaemia at booking Results: Out of 1,141 parturient who participated in this study, 728(63.8%) had anaemia at booking. Majority (56.4.0%) had microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Socio demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with anaemia at booking were: occupation (p