Effects of Oral Folic Acid and Iron Tablets Intake on the Prevalence and Severity of Anemia in Pregnant Women in a Public Sector Hospital in Delhi.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of oral folic acid, iron tablets, and tea consumption on the prevalence and severity of anemia in pregnancy.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy attending the antenatal clinic of a public sector hospital in Delhi.

RESULTS

The mean age, parity, BMI, and gestation were 26.2 ± 4.5 years, 1.8 ± 1.2, 22.5 ± 4.5 kg/m, and 32.2 ± 3.4 weeks, respectively. Out of 430 patients, the prevalence of anemia was found in 210 (48.84%) patients, with mild anemia in 111 (25.81%), moderate in 68 (15.81%), severe in 30 (6.98%), and very severe in one (0.24%) patient. Significantly more women (97, 46.19%) in the anemia group did not take oral folic acid tablets as compared to the normal hemoglobin (Hb) group (83, 37.72%) (p = 0.04). Similarly, significantly more (103, 49.04%) women in the anemia group did not take oral iron tablets as compared to the normal Hb group (19, 8.63%) (p = 0.02) with even more patients being in the severe anemia group (29, 93.55%) (p = 0.001). Intake of two or more cups of tea per day was a significant risk factor for anemia, with 147 (70%) anemic vs. 134 (60.9%) with normal Hb (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was found to be high in 210 (48.84%) patients. Non-intake of oral folic acid and iron tablets and consumption of two or more cups of tea were significant risk factors for anemia in pregnancy.