Iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Bali, Indonesia: a profile of risk factors and epidemiology

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2002 Sep;33(3):604-7.

Abstract

Iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women is a serious public health problem especially in tropical countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Bali and determine the risk factors for anemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,684 pregnant women in 42 villages in Bali that were selected by probabilistic/proportional-to-size sampling technique. Two ml of venous blood were collected for hemoglobin estimation using an automatic hematology analyzer (Technician H-I), and serum ferritin examination using immunolescent technique. The WHO criterion for anemia in pregnancy was applied and serum ferritin < 20 microg/l as cut-off point for iron deficiency. Data regarding risk factors were gathered using pre-designed questionnaires. The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women was 46.2%; most of the cases of anemia were mild. The risk factors for anemia identified in this study were: length of gestation; level of education; antenatal intake of iron pills. Given the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Bali, preventive measures, eg iron supplementation, the iron fortification of food, and health education, should be encouraged.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Gravidity
  • Humans
  • Indonesia / epidemiology
  • Iron / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / prevention & control
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Iron