Frequency of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, drug-taking habits and evaluation of knowledge levels about anemia

This research study aimed to assess the incidents of anemia and iron deficiency and to determine medicine-use habits and information level about iron-deficiency anemia in the pregnant women who applied to Pregnancy Clinic of Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. The sampling of the study included 191 pregnant women who have requested to receive prenatal healthcare service in March 2018 and accepted to participate in the research. The data on sociodemographic features, medicine-use habits and information level were obtained using the interview form developed by the researcher based on literature data. After application of the data collection form, blood samples were obtained from pregnant women to test hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV and ferritin levels and laboratory results were recorded. The research data were evaluated using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Software Version 23.0. Mean Hgb, mean ferritin, mean age and mean gestational age values of the pregnant women included in the study were found 12.04±1.12 g/dl, 19.87±12.65 μg/L, 27.52±5.28 years and 21.47±9.94 weeks, respectively. Of the pregnant women, 16.8% had Hgb values below 11 g/dl while ferritin levels were below 15 μg/L in 46.1% women. It was determined that prevalence of iron-deficiency was very high in the pregnant women and that risk for anemia and iron deficiency increases as gestational age advances. Incidence of anemia was found significantly higher in the pregnant women with the symptoms of weakness and fatigue. Anemia and iron-deficiency were not found significantly correlated with education level, income level, time interval between two pregnancies, total number of pregnancies, regular follow-up by the gynecologist, use of iron medication, content of the iron medication, duration of iron medication, duration of exposure to the side effects of iron medication. The information level of the pregnant women about anemia and its complications, nutrition and medication use were tested on 10-point scale and found low with a resulting mean score of 4.82±2.77. No significant correlation was determined between information level of the pregnant women and presence of anemia and iron-deficiency. It was detected in the present research that most of the pregnant women carry risk for iron-deficiency and that healthcare services provided during the pre-pregnancy term were found insufficient although healthcare services during the prenatal term were sufficiently presented. As a consequence, it is clear that anemia and iron deficiency should be screened before the pregnancy term and that this screen would present a significant contribution to prevent the negative effects of anemia and iron deficiency on pregnancy. Besides, pregnant women should be provided iron supplements by following-up about regular use and informed about anemia and nutritional issues by the healthcare staff.