BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy is common in Tanzania. Previous information on distribution of hemoglobin concentration in total populations is scarce. METHODS: Standard measurement of hemoglobin concentration in consecutive first visit attenders at the antenatal care clinic in Moshi, 1991-1994, for a total of 1800, divided into three series of 600 each. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentrations ranged from 41 to 146 g/l, mean 96.9 and s.d. 16.3. For international comparison, 74.5% were below 110 g/l and 7.0% below 70 g/l. The median was 97.0; other percentiles were 10th: 75.0, 90th: 116.0. The distribution did not change with mother's age, but in the years 1991 and 1994 there were more low hemoglobin values than in the intervening years. CONCLUSIONS: Low hemoglobin concentrations are prevalent among pregnant women in Moshi, Tanzania. Seven percent were found to have severe anemia, defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 70 g/l.
BACKGROUND:Anemia in pregnancy is common in Tanzania. Previous information on distribution of hemoglobin concentration in total populations is scarce. METHODS: Standard measurement of hemoglobin concentration in consecutive first visit attenders at the antenatal care clinic in Moshi, 1991-1994, for a total of 1800, divided into three series of 600 each. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentrations ranged from 41 to 146 g/l, mean 96.9 and s.d. 16.3. For international comparison, 74.5% were below 110 g/l and 7.0% below 70 g/l. The median was 97.0; other percentiles were 10th: 75.0, 90th: 116.0. The distribution did not change with mother's age, but in the years 1991 and 1994 there were more low hemoglobin values than in the intervening years. CONCLUSIONS: Low hemoglobin concentrations are prevalent among pregnant women in Moshi, Tanzania. Seven percent were found to have severe anemia, defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 70 g/l.