ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF MATERNAL ANEMIA IN UGHELLI, DELTA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Maternal anemia is one of the most common nutritional and public health disorders affecting women during pregnancy worldwide. It is characterized by a reduction in the concentration of haemoglobin in the blood below the level required to meet the physiological needs of pregnancy. According to the World Health Organization, anemia in pregnancy is defined as a haemoglobin concentration of less than 11 g/dL and remains a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Globally, approximately one-third of women of reproductive age are affected by anemia, with the highest burden occurring in developing countries. The condition is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa due to nutritional deficiencies, malaria, intestinal parasitic infections, frequent pregnancies, poverty, and inadequate access to quality antenatal care. Despite advances in maternal healthcare, maternal anemia continues to pose serious challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health.

Nigeria records one of the highest rates of maternal anemia in Africa. Several studies have shown that between 40% and 60% of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics experience varying degrees of anemia. The condition increases the risk of maternal fatigue, infections, postpartum haemorrhage, heart failure, preterm delivery, low birth weight, fetal growth restriction, and maternal death. These complications contribute significantly to poor pregnancy outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

Primary Health Centres serve as the first point of contact for maternal healthcare services in many communities and play an important role in preventing, identifying, and managing maternal anemia. Midwives provide routine antenatal screening, haemoglobin estimation, nutritional counselling, iron and folic acid supplementation, malaria prevention, deworming, and health education to pregnant women. Effective implementation of these interventions has the potential to reduce the burden of maternal anemia considerably.

Ughelli, one of the major urban centres in Delta State, has experienced increased utilization of primary healthcare services due to ongoing maternal and child health programmes. However, despite these interventions, maternal anemia continues to be reported among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Factors such as poor dietary intake, low socioeconomic status, inadequate antenatal attendance, cultural beliefs, and poor compliance with prescribed medications may contribute to its persistence.

Assessing the prevalence and management of maternal anemia among pregnant women attending Primary Health Centres in Ughelli will provide valuable evidence for healthcare providers, policymakers, and nursing professionals in designing interventions aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Maternal anemia remains a major public health concern despite the availability of effective preventive and treatment strategies. It contributes significantly to maternal illness, adverse fetal outcomes, prolonged hospital stay, and increased maternal mortality.