Authors : Bharati Saikia; R.S Ramesh; Dr. R. Jayalakshny; Dr. Bhabani Pegu

Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3np2ncys

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8158743

Abstract : India ranks 170 out of 180 countries for anaemia among women, according to global nutrition survey, 2016. Anemia during pregnancy affects both mother’s and her child’s health.Objective To find out the proportion of persistent anemia and its associated factors and also to explore the reasons for persistent anemia among the 3rd trimester mothers attending antenatal clinics in tertiary care hospital, Puducherry  Methodology A mixed method study was designed to collect data from 217 by using purposive sampling technique. A validated self-structured questionnaire was used to assess the reasons for persistent anemia comprising of socio-demographic, obstetrics factors, health related factor, and adherence factors. Chi square test was used to find association between socio-demographic variables with other associated factors.There was significant association between education, (p<0.001), occupation (p<0.001), anemia in 1st trimester (p0.02), anemia in 2nd trimester (p<0.001). The reasons behind persistent anemia were found to be knowledge deficit, forgetfulness of tablets, low socio-economic status, less knowledge on iron inhibitors and enhancers, bitterness and side effects of tablets.Conclusion The proportion of persistent anemia among 3rd trimester pregnant women was high in our study and also seen is various studies in different parts of the country. This continuing high burden of anemia could be mainly due to lack of education and uncorrected anemia in their pregnancy which resulted into persistent anemia.

Keywords : Antenatal Mothers, Haemoglobin, Third Trimester.