Study of Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu, India

Background: Anaemia is one of the most frequent complication in pregnancy. It requires treatment early because it is associated with low birth weight, premature birth and maternal mortality in developing countries like India. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia among women attending antenatal clinic in tertiary hospital Salem, India. Method: It is a hospital based cross sectional study conducted at the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu, India for a period of 1year from April 2019 to March 2020. A total of 21, 473 cases were studied and screened. Prevalence of anemia was calculated. Anemia was classified morphologically based on peripheral smear findings and classified as microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic, dimorphic anemia, normocytic normochromic anemia. Based on haemoglobin values anemia was classified as mild, moderate and severe anemia. Results: Prevalence of anemia in pregnancy in Tamilnadu was 70 %.Age wise, majority of the patients were between 21 to 25 years. Gravida more than 2 were more when compared to lower parity. Morphologically microcytic hypochromic type i.e. iron deficiency anemia was the most common. Conclusion: Anemia in pregnancy in Tamilnadu is quite high and was found to be 70 % in routine antenatal outpatient cases. Multiple pregnancies and low level of education indirectly contribute to anemia of pregnancy. Education and awareness about anemia in pregnancy can lead to better fetal and maternal outcomes.