Young Mothers, Parity and the Risks of Anemia in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Anemia during pregnancy remains a major health problem in Indonesia. According to theIndonesian basic health research in 2007-2013, the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy tends to increase.This paper aimed to assess the risk factors related to anemia in the third trimester of gestation.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in one government hospital and one private hospitalin Jakarta. All medical records of pregnant women who gave birth between January 1 to December 31 of2011 were included. The Cox regression with constant time was used to analyze the risks of anemia.Results: This study collected 4191 samples in two hospitals. Eligible samples for analysis were 1202while the remainings were excluded due to incomplete data records. The prevalence of anemia amongpregnant women in the third trimester was 33.7%. Compared to women in the 21-35 year age group,those with aged 16-20 years had 56% higher risk to be anemic [adjusted relative risk (RRa) = 1.56; P= 0.014], however, those with aged 36-46 years had the same risk to be anemic (P = 0.350). In term ofparity, compared with nulliparous, multiparous women had 58% higher risk to be anemic (RRa = 1.58; P= 0.000), however, primiparous women had moderately higher risk to be anemic (RRa = 1.15; P = 0.201).Conclusion: Anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy were more common among young and multiparousmothers. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2015;6:7-11