OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN KOGI STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, LOKOJA.

Abstract

Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) is insufficient to meet the body physiologic needs. Anaemia is one of the most frequent complications during pregnancy.  Specific physiologic needs vary with a person’s age, gender, attitude, smoking behavior and different stages of pregnancy.  Normal physiologic changes in pregnancy affect the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration that results in relative or absolute reduction in Hb concentration. The study determined anaemia distribution among pregnant women. Blood samples were collected from antenatal women attending Kogi State Specialist Hospital Lokoja for the analysis. The results shows high prevalence of anaemia (72%) among the pregnant women while 28% were mildly anaemic. The gestation stage in which anaemia was common was second and third trimester which accounted for 48% and 32% respectively. Therefore, routine medical checkup involving blood volume count and good nutrition with high iron content should be encouraged and consumed among pregnant women.

Key words: Anaemia, Pregnancy, Hemoglobin, Trimester and Prevalence.