European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study to evaluate thenutritional factors affecting the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Bihar region.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Community Medicine, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, Bihar, India, from December 2019 to November 2020. All pregnant women registered at UHTC and RHTC were assessment of micronutrient intake on the prevalence of anemia amongst pregnant women. Sahli’s method was used to estimate the concentration of hemoglobin in capillary blood.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 67.08% among the pregnant women. The moderate anemia was found in 41% women, mild anemia was 49.06% and severe anemia was 9.94%. The calorie intake was significantly (p<0.0001) lower in anemic women (1874.96 ± 272.12) as compared to non-anemic women (2369.23 ± 361.03). The protein intake was significantly (p<0.0001) lower in anemic women (36.12 ± 10.36) as compared to non- anemic women (41.97 ± 11.09). The fat intake was significantly (p<0.0001) lower in anemic women (35.12 ± 10.64) as compared to non-anemic women (40.72 ± 13.88). The iron intake was significantly (p<0.0001) lower in anemic women (24.32 ± 5.55) as compared to non-anemic women (26.83 ± 6.74). The folic acid intake was significantly (p<0.0001) lower in anemic women (137.96± 34.84) as compared to non-anemic women (149.23 ± 43.03).
Conclusion: The micronutrient intake was lower in the studied population and it was found to be significantly associated with problem of anemia amongst pregnant women.