Anemia in pregnancy

s: Back ground: Anemia in pregnancy continues to be the major public health problem in the world & is the commonest medical disorder in pregnancy that has a varied prevalence, etiology and degree of severity in different populations. Objective: To find out the prevalence of anemia amongst pregnant women and sociodemographic factors associated with anemia in pregnancy. Methods: The present cross sectional study was carried out in obstetric and gynae OPD of one of the private hospital of Bareilly district during the month of Jan.2010 to May2010. Chi square test was applied for statistical analysis. Results: prevalence of anemia was 43.38% Anemia was found to be more prevalent in women age more than 30 years (80.39%), illiterate (49.53%), working (83.82%) & those belonging to Muslim community. Multiparous women (45%), women with poor personal hygiene (48%) and non-vegetarian diet were slightly more anemic as compare to their contrary one. Conclusion: Despite the measures taken to control anemia in pregnancy in the last two decades, the severity of nutritional anemia continues to remain a public health issue of great magnitude, suggesting that these measures have been largely ineffective. [ Agarwal K et al NJIRM 2011; 2(4) : 29-32]