Socio-demographic and obstetric factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria

Anaemia is a problem of global public health importance. This case control study investigated the prevalence and socio-economic factors associated with anaemia in UDUTH Sokoto, Nigeria. A total of 403 women attending ANC in in Sokoto, Nigeria constituted the subjects. Controls included 200 aged-matched and non-pregnant women. Haematocrit and the haemoglobin concentration was determined using the Swelab haematology analyzer. Subjects were aged 18-44 years with mean age of 32.32 ± 10.60. The mean haematocrit and haemoglobin levels were significantly lower among pregnant subjects (29.63 ± 3.4 and 9.7 ± 1.1) compared to non – pregnant controls (38.33 ± 5.4 and 12.75 ± 1.8) (p=0.001). Out of the 403 women, 228 (55.6%) were anaemic while 175 (43.4%) were non anaemic. Anaemia was significantly lower among highly educated (p= 0.034) and marginally higher among less-remunerated subjects (p=0.678). Anaemia was significantly higher among pregnant women in polygamous relationships (p= 0.01) and among multigravidae women (p= 0.04).This study indicates a high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Sokoto, Nigeria. We advocate that routine haemoglobin be included in antenatal care protocol of pregnant women, that targeted iron supplementation, antihelminthic therapy, use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) be implemented.