Background. In Ethiopia, prenatal anemia is a major public health concern affecting both the health of the woman and babies.The\nWorld Health Organization recommends to conduct repeated prevalence studies concerning prenatal anemia . However, there is\nno recent evidence on the magnitude of the prenatal anemia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and\nthe associated factors of prenatal anemia among women attending the Antenatal Care Clinic at the University of Gondar Referral\nHospital. Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 362 participants from June 03-July\n08, 2017, at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. The systematic random sampling\ntechnique was employed. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)\nscreeningwas conducted.Nutritional status of the participants was assessed. Blood sample was collected by capillary tube . Intestinal\nparasite was examined by stool wet mount test. HIV serostatus was detected. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration\nbelow 11 g/dl. The multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors and to control the possible\neffects of confounders. Result.Theprevalence of anemia was 22.2% (95% CI: 18.11, 27.1%).The highest odds of anemia were observed\namong pregnant women with family size of >five [AOR = 3 (95% CI: 1.03, 8.65)], unprotectedwater source users, [AOR= 4.09 (95%\nCI: 1.75, 9.55)], HIV infected [AOR = 2.94(95% CI: 1.37, 6.35)], andmultigravida women [AOR = 3.5 (95% CI: 1.35, 9.17)]. Conclusion\nand Recommendations. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women attending the University of Gondar Referral Hospital\nwas a moderate public health problem. Unprotected water source, large family size,Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus infection, and\nrepeated pregnancies were factors that predicted anemia.Thus, prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, family\nplanning utilization, and accessing pure water are recommended.
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