ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY, STUDY IN BITOLA, NORTH MACEDONIA

Purpose: Anemia in pregnancy is a national problem because it reflects the value of people's socioeconomic well-being, and its influence is very large on the quality of human resources. Anemia during pregnancy has been a significant health problem worldwide for many years. Our study was designed to assess the prevalence of anemia at the time of diagnosis of pregnancy during the third trimester in the city hospital of Bitola. Material/Methods: This pilot study was performed in a Clinical hospital in Bitola (R. Macedonia). The total number of participants was 173 pregnant women. Complete blood count (CBC) - CBC was determined in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (K-EDTA) blood samples -using Sysmex XN 550 (Sysmex Co, Kobe, Japan). Conclusions: Anemia in pregnancy is a mild public health problem in Bitola. The diet of pregnant women, which does not reflect a varied and balanced diet, causes an iron deficiency. The main risk factors were age of the pregnant woman. Further, we recommend ongoing education about effects of anemia, especially among women with low education and the population of adolescent women and women of reproductive age in general.