Effect of Antenatal Services During Pregnancy on Prevalence of Anemia Amongst Pregnant Women in Lucknow

Objective: To study the effect of antenatal care services (ANC) during pregnancy on prevalence of anemia amongst pregnant women in Lucknow. Study design: Cross-sectional study Study area: Urban and rural areas of Lucknow. Study subjects: A total of 455 pregnant women residing in urban and rural areas. Results: More than half (62.2%) of the pregnant women received ANC services at any health facility. The overall prevalence of anemia was 67.5%. Of these, the moderate anemia was 47.6%, mild was 43.6% and severe was 8.8%. The prevalence was almost similar in urban (73.3%) and rural (62.4%) pregnant women as well as in Hindu (64%) and Muslim (74.2%) women. Age at marriage did not affect in the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women. The education of women had significant association with the prevalence of anemia as the anemia was significantly (p<0.0001) higher in illiterate (81%) women than literates. Conclusion: The ANC service is still not at par, it is to be promoted that every pregnant woman should get ANC services in time. This will decrease the anaemia prevalence.