7 research outputs found
Anaemia in pregnancy: associations with parity, abortions and child spacing in primary healthcare clinic attendees in Trinidad and Tobago
Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia in antenatal clinic
attendees; to investigate the effects of parity, age, gravidity,
previous abortions, child spacing and other factors on the prevalence
of anaemia in pregnancy. Methods: This was a retrospective and
cross-sectional study. Antenatal records of 2287 pregnant women
attending 40 public healthcare centres from January 2000 to December
2005 in Trinidad and Tobago were used. Data pertaining to the
investigated variables were recorded. The national prevalence of
anaemia was calculated and chi-square tests, odds ratios and logistic
regression were used to assess the relationship between anaemia and
each variable. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 15.3% (95% CI
13.4%, 16.6%). No significant difference in the prevalence of anaemia
was found among the different clinics or counties. At the first
haemoglobin reading, age was inversely related to the presence of
anaemia, whereas gestational age at first visit was directly related.
At the final haemoglobin reading, parity, gravidity, and previous
spontaneous abortions were directly related to the prevalence of
anaemia, while the number of visits was inversely related. Age was
inversely associated to the severity of anaemia while gravidity was
directly related. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia decreased by
18.7% from 1967. Despite this positive indication, women under 24 years
and those commencing antenatal care after the first trimester are still
at a higher risk for developing anaemia. Early commencement of
antenatal care and close monitoring of the risk groups identified
should be strongly advocated