A multivariate analysis of risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy at booking in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy continues to be a major global problem associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality as well as adverse perinatal outcome particularly in developing countries.Objectives: The study determined the prevalence and risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos state.st Methods: This is case control study carried out from 1 th January 2016 to 30 June 2016. Data was prospectively collected from women at their first antenatal visit and venous blood samples were collected to determine their packed cell volume. Risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy were determined by logistic regression using univariate and multivariate anaysis.Results: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy at booking was 54.8%. The significant risk factors for anaemia were short inter pregnancy interval of less than 2years (aOR =1.56; 95%CI = 1.05-2.33), late booking in the second trimester (aOR = 7.21; 95% CI =  1.9426.79) and third trimester (aOR =8.00; 95% CI= 2.152-29.76), and HIV positive status (aOR = 8.38; 95% CI = 2.30-30.42). Women who were para 5 and above had significantly reduced risk compared to primigravidae (aOR = 0.11; 95%CI = 0.01 - 0.87)Conclusion: Anaemia in pregnancy at booking is of high prevalence in our environment. It is important to emphasize pre-conception care to address anaemia predating pregnancy, manage existing medical conditions such as HIV infection before women embark on pregnancy and also educate women about benefits of contraception for child spacing as well as early commencement of antenatal care. Key words: Anaemia in pregnancy, booking, antenatal care, Nigeria