Maternal anemia status among pregnant women in Erbil city, Iraq

Background: Anemia is the most common medical disorder of pregnancy. The current study aimed to find out the prevalence of anemia and its association with socioeconomic and obstetric characters among pregnant women in Erbil city. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from August 2011 to February 2012. The data was collected by a direct interview from pregnant women in their 3rd trimester attending primary health care centers; the hemoglobin level of < 11 gm/dl was considered anemic. Results: The total sample size was 400 pregnant women; their ages ranged from 15 to 44 years (mean +/- standard deviation of 26.68 +/- 5.917 years). The overall prevalence of anemia was 55.5%, with highest rate among the age group of < 20 years and > 40 years. Overcrowding index, poor dietary habit, multiparity, low consumption of iron-folate supplements, the absence of specialist doctor and monthly screening for anemia were significantly associated with prevalence of anemia. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Erbil city, all the cases are of mild and moderate severity which is associated with many factors like over crowding, poor dietary habit, gravidity, lack of qualified staff, shortage of iron-folate supplements and poor counseling.