Anaemia and its associated factors among pregnant women in Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2021-0047
- Author:
Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat
1
;
Puganeswary Thangarajah
2
Author Information
1. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
2. District Health Office, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
anaemia, pregnancy, maternal health
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2022;28(No.1):53-63
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Despite remarkable improvement in maternal health, anaemia
during pregnancy remains a significant public health threat to Malaysian
women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and associated
factors of anaemia in pregnancy among pregnant mothers in Seremban, Negeri
Sembilan. Methods: A total of 482 pregnant mothers were recruited using cluster
sampling. Data were collected using a validated and pre-tested self-administered
questionnaire consisting of four sections, namely socio-demographic and socioeconomic details, obstetric history, nutritional factors, and iron supplementation
status. In this study, anaemia in pregnancy was defined as haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0
g/dL, which was based on blood test taken during the first trimester. The data
were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Multiple logistic regression analysis
was conducted to determine the predictive model for anaemia during pregnancy
among the respondents. Results: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy among
the respondents was 22.0%, with 95.3% respondents mildly anaemic. Respondents
with an intake of iron supplementation of once daily (AOR=0.191, 95% CI: 0.074-
0.914), more than once daily (AOR=0.149, 95%CI: 0.091-0.248), and low intake
of seafood (AOR=0.320, 95% CI: 0.187-0.526) were less likely to develop anaemia
during pregnancy. Conclusion: The findings revealed moderate level of anaemia in
pregnancy, which was dominated by those in the mild category, with increased risk
predicted among young mothers. Iron supplementation (once daily or more) and low
intake of seafood protected mothers from developing anaemia during pregnancy.
- Full text:4.2022my0566.pdf
