ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common problem in pregnant women. The primary drivers of anemia in pregnancy are ID, aplastic anemia, a lack of vitamin B12, and vitamin B9. ID is the most widely recognized and can lead to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Both ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are normal clinical illnesses in pregnant women. Anemia can cause a compromised immune system during pregnancy, leading to negative outcomes including premature birth and premature rupture of membranes. Objective: The objectives of this research are to determine the severity of ID among pregnant women and to check the associated risk factors for ID. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study in government hospitals in Lahore. The data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Simple random sampling techniques are used, and SPSS is used for data analysis. Results: According to this study, the prevalence of IDA is high. Out of 385 women, 96 are normal, 102 are mild, 129 are moderate, and 58 are anemic. All associated risk factors—level of education, trimester, gravidity, family planning, and animal source food values—were significantly positive. Conclusion: The iron deficiency anemia (IDA) prevalence is high, and risk factors are high among pregnant women: living in rural areas, high gravidity, no family planning, and poor food from animal sources.