Severe anemia in pregnancy in rural Ghana: a case-control study of causes and management.
BACKGROUND
Various factors contribute to severe anemia in pregnancy in low-income countries. This study assesses which of these are of importance in rural Ghana, and evaluates management.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study in two (sub)district hospitals in rural Ghana among 175 severely anemic pregnant women (Hb < 8.0 g/dl), receiving a comprehensive treatment package; and 152 non-anemic pregnant women (Hb > or = 10.9 g/dl), giving birth at the study hospitals, matched for age and parity. Evaluated characteristics were need for treatment for urinary tract infection and schistosomiasis; sickle cell and HIV status; antenatal care characteristics; and Hb increase after treatment. Statistical analysis included Chi square test and general linear modeling.


RESULTS
Associated with severe anemia were multiple pregnancy (OR 8.9; 95%CI 1.1-71.0), urinary tract infection (OR 6.2; 95%CI 3.5-11.0), residence outside study (sub)district (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.7-4.3), body mass index < 20.0 (OR 2.0; 95%CI 1.2-3.4), and less than 4 antenatal clinic visits (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.2-3.0). No association was found with sickle cell or HIV status, schistosomiasis treatment, blood loss in pregnancy, or gestational age at antenatal care registration. After treatment, mean Hb in the severe anemia group increased by 3.2 g/dl, significantly more than in the control group (0.2 g/dl; p<0.001). Modeling showed that the number of antenatal visits and the lowest Hb together explained approximately 25% of the variability in Hb prior to childbirth among women with severe anemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatable causes contribute considerably to severe anemia in pregnancy in low-income countries. Even with limited resources, a substantial increase of Hb can be achieved.
Geelhoed
Diederike
D
Holy Family Hospital, Berekum and Mathias Hospital, Yeji, Ghana.
Agadzi
Florence
F
Visser
Lucia
L
Ablordeppey
Emelia
E
Asare
Kofi
K
O'Rourke
Peter
P
van Leeuwen
Jules Schagen
JS
van Roosmalen
Jos
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D006454:Hemoglobins