Determining factors associated with anaemia in pregnant women visiting the antenatal care unit at St. Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Unmatched case-control study

Anaemia during pregnancy is associated with maternal death, premature birth, low birth weight, and infant death. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women is high. Owing to differences in nutritional, cultural, educational, and economic status, the determinants of anaemia may vary from one geographical area to another. This study aimed to identify the determinants of anaemia among pregnant women visiting the antenatal care (ANC) unit of St. Paul Millennium Medical College Hospital, Addis Ababa. An unmatched case-control study was conducted between September and October 2020 ​at ​St. Paul's Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 114 cases and 228 controls were selected based on haemoglobin levels (cases: <11 ​g/dl; controls: ≥11 ​g/dl) at the first ANC visit. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using logistic regression models with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 95% confidence interval (CI) and P ​< ​0.05. Most participants in both groups were within the age range of 25–29 years. Significant risk factors of anaemia in pregnant women included having a history of contraceptive use (AOR ​= ​0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–1.07), eating less than three meals per day (AOR ​= ​1.97, 95% CI: 1.09–3.22), and having an average monthly income of ≤1500 birr (AOR ​= ​10.13, 95% CI: 4.21–24.35). Addressing dietary habits, socioeconomic disparities, and strengthening health education on family planning could reduce anaemia among pregnant women in Addis Ababa. Policymakers should ensure the implementation and evaluation of such tailor-made interventions. What is already known on this topic . In Ethiopia, anaemia is a public health problem in pregnant women due to several socio-cultural problems like lack of awareness, illiteracy, poverty, parasitic infestations, and food-related cultural or religious taboos. Within and between regions in Ethiopia, the prevalence of anaemia varies significantly. What this study adds . Due to differences in nutritional, cultural, educational, and economic status, determinants of anaemia vary from one geographical area to another; hence, the availability of local information on related risk factors plays a major role in its prevention. In this study, a history of contraceptive use and pregnant women who eat less than three meals a day were identified as anaemia predictors during pregnancy; hence, promoting community health education amongst other interventions should be provided to women of reproductive age.