Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major public health problem especially for pregnant women in developing countries. During pregnancy anemia is an important contributor to maternal mortality. The main aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Hetosa district health centers, Arsi zone, Ethiopia. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal service in Hetosa district health centers, Ethiopia from 2018.

Methods: Facility based cross sectional study design was used. The sample size was proportionally allocated for 4 health centers; Face to face interview was conducted to collect data using pre tested, structured questionnaire and Hemoglobin test was also carried out.. Data was entered, coded and checked by Epi-Info version 07and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 computer software was used for data analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with anemia. Crude and adjusted Odds ratio with its 95%confidence interval was used as a measure of association. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant.

Result: The magnitude of anemia in this study is 34.6%. Gestational age >6 months [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.5; 95%CI: 2.24, 3.71), family size ≥5 [AOR: 1.21; 95%CI: 1.3, 1.87)) and number of delivery ≥3 [AOR: 1.41; 95%CI: 3.46, 5.48)] are significantly associated with anemia.

Conclusion and recommendation: The overall magnitude of anemia in this study indicated that it was high health problem. Extended family, multi parity and gestational age were significantly independent predictors for maternal anemia among the pregnant women in the study area. Even if, all pregnant women were at risk of anemia, health providers need to give greater emphasis on decreasing the risk of anemia during late pregnancy because the risk was higher at later stages of pregnancy and each facility should have to screen all pregnant women for Anemia.

Keywords: Anemia; Pregnancy; Magnitude; Hetosa