Effects of Oral Folic Acid and Iron Tablets Intake on the Prevalence and Severity of Anemia in Pregnant Women in a Public Sector Hospital in Delhi
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of oral folic acid, iron tablets, and tea consumption on the prevalence and severity of anemia in pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy attending the antenatal clinic of a public sector hospital in Delhi. RESULTS: , and 32.2 ± 3.4 weeks, respectively. Out of 430 patients, the prevalence of anemia was found in 210 (48.84%) patients, with mild anemia in 111 (25.81%), moderate in 68 (15.81%), severe in 30 (6.98%), and very severe in one (0.24%) patient. Significantly more women (97, 46.19%) in the anemia group did not take oral folic acid tablets as compared to the normal hemoglobin (Hb) group (83, 37.72%) (p = 0.04). Similarly, significantly more (103, 49.04%) women in the anemia group did not take oral iron tablets as compared to the normal Hb group (19, 8.63%) (p = 0.02) with even more patients being in the severe anemia group (29, 93.55%) (p = 0.001). Intake of two or more cups of tea per day was a significant risk factor for anemia, with 147 (70%) anemic vs. 134 (60.9%) with normal Hb (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was found to be high in 210 (48.84%) patients. Non-intake of oral folic acid and iron tablets and consumption of two or more cups of tea were significant risk factors for anemia in pregnancy.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.69041
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402421216