Prevalence of anaemia and some risk factors in pregnant women in DDHS area Dankotuwa

Abstract

Prevalence of anaemia was determined as 14.4 per cent at a cut off point of 11g/dl of haemoglobin. The cyanmethaemoglobin method was used to determine the haemoglobin levels. A POA of more than 20 weeks at first visit to the ANC was significantly associated with anaemia. There was no significant association between family size, educational level, average birth interval, average family income, hook worm infection and malaria with anaemia. No significant association existed between hook worm infection and the absence of a latrine. Clinical assessment of anaemia using pallor of tongue was not reliable to be used as a screening test for anaemia ata cut off point of 11g/dl of haemoglobin. Pallor of conjunctiva was found to be a better method for screening of anaemia at the cut off point of haemoglobin used in this study