| dc.description.abstract | INTRODUCTION
Postpartum anemia presents a high burden to the frontline health care workers worldwide. The burden is more so in countries with high prevalence of antepartum anemia and malaria. Postpartum anemia is associated with poor lactation, delayed recovery from challenges of labor and increased infant morbidity. This calls for in-depth assessment on burden and factors associated with it in rural setting. In addition, not much emphasis is given to postpartum anemia and this coupled with poor screening at postnatal clinic put mothers at more risk of postpartum anemia.
OBJECTIVES
The study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum anemia among mothers attending postnatal clinic at six weeks at Apac general hospital.
METHODS: The study was a cross sectional study and a total of 362 women in the postpartum period attending postnatal clinic or young child clinic at six weeks at Apac hospital were recruited after consenting. The data was collected from the month of February 2019 to April 2019. Data was collected by the principle investigator, assisted by two research assistants. The study team used pretested pre-coded questionnaires to conduct face to face interview and reviewed antenatal cards for additional information. The outcomes of interest were presence of anemia or absence of anemia as determined by the level of hemoglobin using an automated complete blood count machine. Data was checked daily for correctness and completeness and entered into computer, backed up and stored under key and lock, exported to SPSS12 for analysis. Prevalence ratios were calculated and statistical significance obtained using 95% confidence interval and p-values. Multivariate analysis performed using modified Poisson regression model to identify factors independently associated with anemia. Ethical considerations and quality control were observed.
RESULTS: The prevalence of postpartum anemia at six weeks among 362 women attending postnatal clinic at Apac general Hospital was 18.8%. Most women presented with mild form of anemia 60/68 (88.2%), 5/68 (7.4%) had moderate anemia, and 3/68 (4.4%) had severe anemia.
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Women who were HIV positive aOR; 95% CI: 1.15 (0.58-2.29), those who had positive malaria parasites aOR; 95% CI: 2.62(1.12-6.13), those above 18 years of age aOR; 95% CI:1.55(0.574.26)and those who had anemia in pregnancy aOR; 95% CI:0.18(0.02-1.34). Women with history of transfusion during pregnancy were at increased risk of postpartum anemia aOR; 95% CI: 0.18(0.02-1.34), while attending antenatal aOR; 95% CI: 2.68(0.37-19.35) and iron supplementation were protective aOR; 95% CI: 0.98 (0.45-2.13) for postpartum anemia.
Conclusion
The prevalence of postpartum anemia was 18.8% which is much lower than that seen in previous studies; the factors that increased post-partum anemia were; malaria in the postnatal period aOR; 95% CI: 2.62(1.12-6.13) and occupation aOR; 95% CI: 1.72(1.04-2.87)
However, continued effort is needed to lower it further through adherence to iron supplementation, attending antenatal and screening all mothers at the postnatal clinic as well manage malaria in the postnatal perio | en_US |
