Dissertation (MSc Midwifery)
Over 50% of postpartum women have the risk of developing postpartum anaemia in the world. Postpartum anaemia contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality. In Tanzania, maternal anaemia contributes to 8.8% of all maternal deaths. The prevalence of postpartum anaemia is unknown in the country as little attention is given on it. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum anaemia among postnatal women in Dodoma City, Tanzania.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dodoma City involving 384 respondents who were selected using a simple sampling random technique. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Haemoglobin level, body weight and height were measured by using HemoCue HB201+ analyser, weighing scale and stadiometer respectively. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) v.20 software was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to report frequency distributions for univariate data. Chi square was used to compare the groups for anaemia, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between the prenatal and postnatal maternal characteristics and postpartum anaemia.
Prevalence of postpartum anaemia was found to be 22% (83). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression results indicated that multiple birth (AOR=8.002, CI: 1.965-32.583, P=0.004), Hb <11.0g/dl during last pregnancy (AOR=7.364, CI: 4.107-13.201, P<0.001), history of malaria in last pregnancy (AOR=4.121, CI: 1.737-9.776, P<0.001) and pica use during last pregnancy (AOR=2.648, CI: 1.427-4.914) P=0.002), lack of breast milk (AOR=4.864, CI: 2.060-11.484; P<0.001), overweight during postpartum (AOR 4.248, CI: 1.725-10.459; P=0.002), history of painful urination (AOR=4.683, CI: 1.462-15.005, P=0.009), frequency urination (AOR=2.950, CI: 1.0346-8.346, P=0.041), lower abdominal pain (AOR=2.932, CI: 1.120-7.680, P=0.029) and history of cracked nipple (AOR=1.867, CI: 0.540-6.457, P=0.032) were identified as predictors.
Other factors such as employed husband (AOR=0.010, CI: 0.001-0.130; P<0.001), self-employed husband (AOR=0.018, CI: 0.002-0.205, P<0.001), being married (AOR=0.430, CI: 0.004-0.459; P= 0.009), and multiparity (AOR=0.401, CI: 0.220-0.730, P=0.003), were identified as protective factors to having postpartum anaemia.
Anaemia is highly prevalent among postpartum women in Dodoma City. It is significantly associated with both prenatal and postnatal factors. The ministry of health in Tanzania should prepare postnatal care (PNC) guideline and producing health policy which recognise haemoglobin check-ups to postpartum women as routine integrated service. Postpartum women should be supplied with iron supplements immediately after delivery and should be continued throughout postpartum period.