Burden and determinants of post-partum anaemia in Mariakani Sub-county Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Anaemia in the postpartum period is a common public health problem, but there is a paucity of studies regarding anaemia in the post-partum period. This problem has been relatively neglected, yet a new mother may enter the post-partum period having exhausted her iron stores through pregnancy and childbirth. Prevention and treatment of anaemia in postpartum women is essential for reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, improving quality of life, as well as improving work performance. Objectives: To find out the burden and determinants of anaemia at the post-partum period in Mariakani sub-county hospital. Methodology: Cross sectional study, where a total of 323 women attending mother and child health clinic about the sixth week post-partum at Mariakani sub-county hospital were recruited in to the study. Their management for anaemia during antenatal period was assessed using antenatal care records followed by a haemoglobin estimation using the prick method; those found to be anaemic by World health organization criteria had further investigations of blood slide for malaria parasites, stool test, and a complete blood count. Data analysis: Data analysis was conducted to determine strength of association between dependent and independent variables using Chi-square test for categorical variables. All statistical tests were performed at 5% significance level (95% confidence interval). Results: The prevalence of post-partum anaemia was 16.4%.Longer durations of haematinic use was protective against postnatal anaemia (p < 0.001), as was the case for repeated IPT administration (p < 0.001). Most anaemic patients (74%) had used haematinics for 1-2 months while 57% of the non-anaemic patients had used haematinic for a longer duration of between 2 and 3 months. The risk of anaemia in mothers with no ANC or delivery complications was 0.2 times lower than that of mothers with complications (OR=0.2; 95% CI 0.04-0.8). The risk of anaemia was twelve fold higher in non-facility delivery (OR=12.1; 95% CI 1.5-99.9) compared to facility delivery. Similarly the risk of anaemia increased ten times in mothers initiating ANC care during third trimester compared to first or second trimester (OR=10.5;95% CI 5.3-20.9). Conclusion: The duration of haematinic use in pregnancy, repeated IPT dosing, health facility delivery and early initiation of antenatal clinic have been shown by this study to be important strategies in prevention of Post-partum anaemia.