Prevalence of Anemia and its Socioeconomic Determinants in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is a prevalent condition among pregnant women and significantly contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its association with various socioeconomic factors among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Lahore General Hospital (LGH), Lahore.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at LGH from September 1 to 30, 2022. A total of 224 pregnant women were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data on demographics and socioeconomic factors were collected via a structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin levels were measured using standard CBC analyzers. Associations between anemia (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL) and socioeconomic variables were analyzed using the chi-square test (p<0.05 considered significant).
Results: The prevalence of anemia was 70.1% (n=157). A significant association was found between anemia and monthly household income (p=0.03) and family structure (p=0.004). No significant association was found with education level, employment status, or meal frequency.
Conclusion: Income and family structure are key determinants of anemia prevalence in this population. These findings underscore the importance of addressing social and economic conditions in maternal health interventions.