Sociodemographic factors in anaemia in pregnancy at booking in Lagos, Nigeria.

Anaemia in pregnancy is a common problem in many developing countries. In Nigeria, it is responsible for 11.0% of maternal deaths. This study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level <11 g/dl. Proportions were compared using the chi2 test. A total of 35.3% of the 374 women studied were anaemic. Anaemia was more common in primigravidae than in parous women of parity 2 - 4 (chi2 = 6.87; p = 0.0087). Low socioeconomic status, (chi2 = 24.67, p = 0.00090), short interval between pregnancies (chi2 = 20.34, p = 0.000144), booking in the third trimester (chi2 = 15.4, p = 0.00045) and recent febrile illness (chi2 = 6.80; p = 0.0091) were associated with anaemia. Women who only used haematenics were more anaemic than those who also used anti-malarial chemo-prophylaxis (chi2 = 57.32, p = 0.00001). Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with several social and demographic factors. To reduce the prevalence of anaemia women need to have a good formal education, be economically empowered and good antenatal care must be made available, accessible and affordable to all women.