Objective: During pregnancy Anemia is the most common hematological disorder presented clinically. According to the reports of World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 35% to 75% (average 56%) of the pregnant women in developing countries are anemic. Among worldwide distribution South Asian countries has highest Prevalence of anemia. India has the highest prevalence of (70-75%). The aim of present study was to determine the evaluation of prevalence of anemia and factors influencing the causation of anemia among pregnant women attending in tertiary care hospital at Gaya, Bihar.

Materials and Methods: A total of 652 pregnant women age group ranges from 18-37 years attending OPD for antenatal check up and for delivery as well in labor room were included in the study. It was the community based cross-sectional study and participants were randomly selected by using multi stage sampling method. From all the pregnant women blood samples for CBC and Iron studies (TIBC, Ferritin, % saturation and transferrin) were collected. From all the samples smear were prepared on clean glass slide, stained and seen under oil immersion field of microscope. Samples for CBC and iron studies were processed according to standard guidelines. CBC was done in five part fully automated Mindray and Iron studies by fully automated architect machine supplied by Roche pharma and data were collected in a pre-tested questionnaire. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (HB) lower than 11 g/ dl during pregnancy.

Result: A high prevalence (about 77%) of anemia was observed among pregnant women. The mean hemoglobin level was found to be 9.2g ± 1.5 g%, ranging from 5 to 12 g%. Anemia was predominantly observed among lower socio-economic group. The prevalence of anemia increased with increase in gestational age, gravida and decreased with increase in birth interval.

Conclusion: High prevalence of anemia among pregnant women indicates anemia to be a major public health problem in our country. Factors such as socioeconomic status, family size, and literacy rate, level of awareness, birth interval, and gravida contribute to this high prevalence.

Keywords: Anemia, Prevalence, Hemoglobin Level, Gestational Age, Gravida.

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Dr Manoj Kumar

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, A. N. M. Medical College, Gaya, Bihar, India