Abstract:
Background:
India has always been a country with a high prevalence of anemia. The prevalence of anemia
among pregnant women in India to be around 49.7 %. In Karnataka, Pregnant women age 19-49
years are anemic - In rural 48.7% according to national family health survey.
Objective:
To assess the prevalence & pattern of anemia among pregnant women in their first trimester in
rural population (field practice area) of Shri B M Patil Medical College, Vijayapura district.
Materials and Methods:
The study was conducted on pregnant women in their first trimester attending antenatal clinic
at rural health training centre, primary health centre, anganwadi mother and child health clinic of
field practice area of Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura
district. The study period was from 1st December, 2018 to 30th May, 2020. Total 200 ANC cases
were recruited and studied. Detailed history of the included pregnant women were be elicited.
Complete blood count were measured by Sysmex XN-1000 and peripheral blood smears were
studied.
Results:
Overall prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was found to be (53%). The prevalence
of mild, moderate and severe anemia were 38 (35.9)%, 60 (56.6)% and 08 (7.5)% respectively.
Among 106 anemic pregnant women, common pattern of anemia was microcytic hypochromic 58
(54.7%). Also 31 cases (29.24%) had normocytic normochromic anemia, 8 cases (7.55%) had
macrocytic anemia, 6 cases (5.66%) had normocytic hypochromic anemia, and 3 cases (2.83%)
had dimorphic anemia.
Conclusion:
A high prevalence of anemia in first trimester pregnant women indicates that the anemia
continues to be a major public health problem in rural area. It needs intervention for its control and
prevention through better awareness, counselling and health education and treatment intervention
at early period of pregnancy. Thus this study will help in planning and implementation of the
policy for prevention of anemia & thus better fetal and maternal outcome.
