Determination of Possible Causes of Nutritional Anaemia Among Pregnant Women in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is an important public health problem worldwide and the most vulnerable group, are pregnant women and children. Anaemia associated with pregnancy is a serious health problem and its control requires the initial identification of the major factors responsible. Determination of the possible causes of nutritional anaemia among pregnant women is important to ensure satisfactory birth outcomes. In Ghana there is little data on the usual dietary intake among pregnant women in the Northern Region of Ghana. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the possible causes of nutritional anaemia among pregnant women reporting for antenatal care at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to survey 175 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Tamale Teaching Hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics. Their dietary intakes were assessed using three 24-hour recalls and a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The questionnaires were administered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the previous day’s food eaten. In order to get the true eating pattern of respondents, dietary assessment using 24-hour recall was carried out three times for each respondent, each on a different day of the week for three weeks. To make it easier for the respondents to recall accurately the previous day’s food eaten, portion sizes handy measures were used and later converted to grams for the analysis. The most recent results of laboratory tests for Hb level, malaria status and worm infestation were extracted from selected pregnant women hospital records. Their sickling status was also noted. Results: Except for vitamin C, the majority of the respondents did not meet the mean percentage of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for energy, protein, fiber, vitamin B 12 , folate, vitamin E, calcium, copper, iron and zinc. Forty seven percent (47%) of the respondents were anaemic as judged by their Hb level, with 40% of them having mild anaemia (10-10.9g/dl) and 7% having moderate anaemia (7.9-9.9g/dl). The income, profession, age and spouse profession were significantly associated with prevalence of anaemia. Conclusion: Dietary intakes of pregnant women in Tamale Metropolis do not meet their RDAs. Nutrition education for pregnant women should be intensified. It is recommended that girl child education should be encouraged, nutrition professionals provided by Ministry of Health to all ante-natal care units and if possible food fortification should be done by the food industries in Ghana. Further research should also be carried out to evaluate various Ghanaian local food sources rich in micronutrients to improve maternal nutrition.