Abstract

During the Household Health Survey 1986, 3057 pregnant women were enrolled in the study had their blood checked for presence of anaemia. Determinant factors influencing anaemia on pregnancies were analysed by using relative risk measurement. The percentage of severe and moderate anaemia in pregnancy was significantly higher among women of the low socio economic group, i.e. 5% and 73% compared to 1,8% and 58,1% among women of the high socioeconomic group. Pregnant women who have inadequate antenatal care (1-3 times antenatal care during their gestation period), are more likely to suffer severe anaemia (RR 2.04, CI 0.95-2.04) as compared to those having adequate antenatal care. Pregnant women of third parity and over, have higher risk towards severe anaemia (RR 2.09, CI 1.40-3.13). Birth intervals less than 36 months tend to increase the risk for severe anaemia in pregnancy (RR 1.55 CI 0.95-2.52 for birth intervals < 24 months, and RR 1.57 CI 1.02-2.41 for birth intervals 24-35 months). Pregnant women with any illness are twice as likely to have severe anaemia (RR 2.15 CI 1.24-3.73). Besides the current maternal health care program to overcome anaemia in pregnancy, improvement of nutritional status of teenage girls and young women as potential mothers is essential.