Objectives: This study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in pregnancy in rural area of Katihar, Bihar, India.

Methodology: Total 120 pregnant women in any trimester of pregnancy with irrespective Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) consumption and belonged from rural areas of Katihar, Bihar, were enrolled in this study. A detail history, complete examinations and relevant investigations were performed to all cases. A Laboratory estimation of haemoglobin was performed using Sahli’s (Acid haematin) method for haemoglobin estimation. Anaemia was classified as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) grading criteria.

Results: Data was analyzed by using simple statistical methods with the help of MS-Office software.

Conclusions: Anaemia in pregnancy was commonly seen in age 20 to 30 years. Most of the cases had mild anaemia in rural area of district Katihar. Parity> 3, pregnancy interval 2-3, illiteracy, lower socioeconomic status was major predictors of anaemia in pregnancy. Hence, anemia continues to be a major public health problem in rural area. To reduce the prevalence, there is a need to public health education on reproductive health, improve the dietary level and strength health care seeking behavior of women. Strategic efforts are needed to broaden the coverage of iron and folic acid distribution and its consumption.

Keywords: Anaemia, Prevalence, Risk factors.

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Dr Mukesh Nandan

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Katihar Medical College, Katihar, Bihar, India

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