Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia in Pregnancy in Low-Middle Income Countries

Abstract

The systematic review analysed anaemia prevalence together with its determinants throughout pregnancy in countries categorised as low and middle income. The PRISMA guidelines guided the selection of ten cross-sectional studies which demonstrated wide-ranging anaemia prevalence rates from 20.9% in Ethiopia to 95.1% in Nigeria. The review revealed various linked factors which produce anaemia during pregnancy throughout these regions. The main factors underlying anaemia risk during pregnancy were socioeconomic variables since lower income levels combined with less education and rural locations created increased susceptibility to anaemia. The limited consumption of iron-rich foods together with restricted access to supplements made pregnant women more susceptible to anaemia. Health-related factors such as hookworm infections and malaria history together with excessive menstrual blood loss significantly impacted the development of anaemia in pregnant women. The connexion between anaemia prevalence and geographic location produced conflicting results because researchers discovered higher prevalence in both urban and rural areas. The research demonstrates how multiple factors from different settings in LMICs influence pregnancy-related anaemia and shows why specific intervention approaches are needed. The author recommend implementing maternal nutrition programmes with supplementation and developing healthcare detection services alongside socioeconomic empowerment programmes for mothers.