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Anthony Uchenna Emeribe, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Amos Dangana, Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria
Hezekiah Alkali Isa, Department of Hematology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria
Solomon Elochi Onoja, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria
Theresa Ohunene Otu, Department of Hematology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria
Yakubu Ibrahim, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Amilia Afzan Mohammad Jamil, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Moses D. Lugos, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Dorcas Aliyu, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Shamsudeen Haruna, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Mala Alhaji Baba Mallam, Department of Nursing Science, Maryam Abacha American university of Niger, Maradi, Niger Republic.
Hadiza Yahaya, Department of Nursing Science, Maryam Abacha American university of Niger, Maradi, Niger Republic.
Maijidda Aminu Saidu, Department of Nursing Science, Maryam Abacha American university of Niger, Maradi, Niger Republic.
Silifat Oyewusi, Department of Nursing Science, Maryam Abacha American university of Niger, Maradi, Niger Republic.
Mustapha Bakare, Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria
Idris Nasir Abdullahi, Ahmadu Bello University, ZariaFollow
Justin Onyebuchi Nwofe, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Despite the efforts to encourage the intake of nutritional supplements during antenatal periods, there are still many cases of anemia and protein-energy malnutrition during pregnancy. Hence, this study determined the incidence of anemia, protein-energy malnutrition, and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Abuja, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This hospital-based, case-control study involved randomly selected 176 pregnant and non-pregnant women attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Nigeria. Hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements were used to determine anemia incidence, while plasma protein, zinc levels and body mass index (BMI) were used to determine energy index status. Complete blood counts were analyzed using 5 parts-automatic hemo-analyzer, while plasma protein and zinc were analyzed using calorimetric method. Anemia and protein-energy malnutrition were defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off values.

Results: The mean age of participants was 28.75 ± 5.22 years. Out of 176 participants, 7 (4%) were malnourished while 25% of the participants were anemic. Anemia was significantly associated with participants’ occupation (p=0.002), parity (p˂0.001) and gestational age (p˂0.001). Most hematological indices, plasma globulin, albumin, protein, and zinc levels were significantly different (p˂0.001) among non-pregnant and pregnant women of the first, second and third trimesters.

Conclusion: The incidence of anemia and malnutrition was high among study participants. There is a need for improved nutritional intervention, increased awareness and strengthening of health systems in the area of maternal health in Nigeria.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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