Anemia Among Teenage Pregnancy In Northwestern Malaysia: What Are The Factors?

Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is an important public health problem associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of anemia among teenage pregnancy in health clinics in northwestern of Malaysia from 2010 to 2012. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using records of teenage pregnant mothers aged less than 20 years old registered in the government health clinics from 2010 to 2012. A simple random sampling was applied, and data was obtained from antenatal card and birth registry. Anemia among teenage pregnancy was defined as hemoglobin concentration less than 11gm/dl or hematocrit of less than 33% detected at booking. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 196 cases were included in the study. The mean age of teenage pregnant mothers was 18.2 (SD 1.02) years old, and Malay accounts 54.6%, followed by Chinese 22.4% and Indian 16.3%. The prevalence of anemia among teenage pregnancy was 53.1% (95% CI: 46.0, 60.0). Gestational age at booking was strongly associated with anemia among teenage pregnancy. Late booker has 16 times higher odds to get anemia compared to early booker (AOR 16.33; 95% CI: 6.51, 40.99). The percentages of low birth weight, small for gestational age and prematurity among teenage pregnant mothers with anemia were 24.0%, 30.8% and 15.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Strategies should focus on preconception care, adolescent-friendly health clinics and promotion of early antenatal booking, especially among young teenage mothers.