Prevalence, severity, and associated factors of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in North West Ethiopia,2024: cross-sectional study

Thrombocytopenia during pregnancy poses risks such as excessive bleeding during or after childbirth, wound leakage at cesarean sites, and neonatal thrombocytopenia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, severity, and associated factors of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women who visited the Antenatal Care Clinic at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to April 30, 2024. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14.0. Descriptive statistics, along with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, were performed, with a P-value of ≤ 0.05 considered indicative of statistical significance. The overall prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women was 20.14% (95% CI: 16.6–24.3). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that older age (AOR = 6.5,95%:2.19–9.6, p-value = 0.001), increase in gestational age (AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 3.92–6.65, p < 0.001), lack of iron supplementation (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.24–4.58, p = 0.009), lower antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 1.3,95% CI: 1.13–3.51, p-value = < 0.001), and history of heavy bleeding (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.29–3.84, p = 0.010) were significantly associated with higher odds of thrombocytopenia. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 20.14%, and it affects approximately one in five pregnant women in the study area, predominantly manifesting in mild forms. Key factors associated with thrombocytopenia include older maternal age, advanced gestational age, lack of iron supplementation, history of heavy bleeding, and lower antenatal care follow-up. Target interventions optimizing nutritional care and antenatal care compliance are recommended.