PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ITS RISK FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARES IN DILLA UNIVERSITY REFERAL HOSPITAL

<strong>Abstract</strong>: Anemia is a condition defined with less hemoglobin (Hgb) level than the normal range in the body, which decreases oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells to tissues. Anemia during pregnancy not only affects the health of the mother such as maternal mortality and morbidity but also the health of the baby, leading to low birth weight, premature delivery, and underdevelopment of brain, leading to increase mortality and morbidity. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among pregnant women in Dilla university referral hospital, Gedeo zone, Dilla. Cross sectional study design was employed in the study using survey data collection approach was conducted from Augest to October, 2020, on 422 pregnant women at Dilla University Referral Hospital. A structured, pretested and interviewer administered questionnaire and hematocrit tests were used to obtain data. P value less than 0.05 were taken as statistical significant. Bi-variate correlation tests were employed to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables. Finally, the result was presented using text and tables. The result showed that about 26.3% pregnant women were anemic (with Hb below 11 g/dl) which is lower than Walayita Sodo 40% (Lealem Gedefaw et al., 2015) and West Arsi zone 36.6% (Niguse Obse et al., 2013). The possible reason might be due to some diseases which can cause anemia. However, high when compared with the study conducted in Addis Ababa 11.6% (Gebreweld Angesum and Aster Tsegay, 2018).Malnutrition, parasitic infection, lack of awareness and family size were significantly associated with anemia. Concerned bodies should work in collaboration to economically empower women to prevent their engagement in risky works including a daily labor. Counseling and promoting the knowledge of women on anemia are essential elements for improving the awareness of anemia.Abstract Anemia is a condition defined with less hemoglobin (Hgb) level than the normal range in the body, which decreases oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells to tissues. Anemia during pregnancy not only affects the health of the mother such as maternal mortality and morbidity but also the health of the baby, leading to low birth weight, premature delivery, and underdevelopment of brain, leading to increase mortality and morbidity. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among pregnant women in Dilla university referral hospital, Gedeo zone, Dilla. Cross sectional study design was employed in the study using survey data collection approach was conducted from Augest to October, 2020, on 422 pregnant women at Dilla University Referral Hospital. A structured, pretested and interviewer administered questionnaire and hematocrit tests were used to obtain data. P value less than 0.05 were taken as statistical significant. Bi-variate correlation tests were employed to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables. Finally, the result was presented using text and tables. The result showed that about 26.3% pregnant women were anemic (with Hb below 11 g/dl) which is lower than Walayita Sodo 40% (Lealem Gedefaw et al., 2015) and West Arsi zone 36.6% (Niguse Obse et al., 2013). The possible reason might be due to some diseases which can cause anemia. However, high when compared with the study conducted in Addis Ababa 11.6% (Gebreweld Angesum and Aster Tsegay, 2018).Malnutrition, parasitic infection, lack of awareness and family size were significantly associated with anemia. Concerned bodies should work in collaboration to economically empower women to prevent their engagement in risky works including a daily labor. Counseling and promoting the knowledge of women on anemia are essential elements for improving the awareness of anemia.