Madhubala Manickavasagam - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lakshmi Madhavan Hospital, Tamilnadu, India

Background and Objective: Anemia in Pregnancy (AIP) causes many obstetric complications. Pregnant women’s awareness and knowledge play a pivotal role in management and prevention of AIP. Methods: The questionnaire survey was conducted among ۱۳۸ first trimester pregnant women visiting the obstetrics and gynaecology department for antenatal care on their first appointment. The diagnosed participants’ knowledge, awareness and management potential about AIP was assessed. Results: The mean age was ۲۶.۹ and ۲۴.۲ years in AIP and non-anemia in pregnancy NAIP groups, respectively. First trimester early week’s appointment was ۳۸.۳% and ۳۷.۶% of AIP and NIAP groups, respectively. AIP compared to parity (χ۲ = ۳.۰۷۳۹) and gestation age (χ۲ = ۰.۸۴۳۵) was not significant at P-value<۰.۰۵. According to WHO definition, AIP was reported in ۴۹.۲% of the study population involving ۳۰.۴% of urban and ۱۸.۸% of rural population. The knowledge and awareness of pregnant women towards anemia in pregnancy was not significant with eleven predictor’s odds ratio. However, both of the groups, ۶۰.۳% of the AIP and ۴۶.۲% of the NAIP cases were aware of the anemia-related complications during pregnancy. Conclusions: First trimester anemia in pregnancy was a prominent health burden in spite of available resources and awareness programmes. There was a sensitization lacunae to rule out the misconception and the belief. A healthy state of mind and practice among women shall be instrumental in bringing about an improved perception of AIP and its prevention.

Antenatal care, Anemia in pregnancy, Deworm, First trimester anemia, Iron deficiency Anemia