Anemia and iron deficiency in pregnant Ghanaian women from urban areas

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and identify risk factors for iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant Ghanaian women from urban areas.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 452 healthy pregnant women receiving prenatal care in Accra, Ghana, was conducted. A sociodemographic health questionnaire was performed and hematologic parameters were measured. Logistic regression methods were used to identify risk factors for anemia and iron status.ResultsComplete data were available for 428 women. Anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) was present in 144 (34%), iron deficiency (ferritin ≤ 16 μg/L) in 69 (16%), and iron deficiency anemia in 32 (7.5%) women. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for anemia was 3.4 and 9.8 if iron deficiency and malaria parasitemia were present, respectively; the OR was 0.6 if women were at ≥ 36 weeks of pregnancy. The adjusted OR for iron deficiency was 2.7 if women were at ≥ 36 weeks of pregnancy and 0.12 if they had sickle trait.ConclusionAlthough anemia and iron deficiency remain substantial problems in pregnant Ghanaian women from urban areas, their prevalence is less than previously reported.