الملخص الإنجليزي
Anaemia in pregnancy is a major health problem affecting 36.5% of pregnant women
globally. The occurrences of anaemia in pregnancy in the Sultanate of Oman is still high
despite of the several strategies put in place. Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with
adverse maternal-fetal outcome that increases maternal and neonatal morbidity and
mortality rates. However, the association is barely known in Oman. A better understanding
of the association would give new ideas on how to improve current guidelines on
screening, treatment and prevention of anaemia in pregnancy.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relation between anaemia in pregnancy and
adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. The study also explored the risk factors related to
anaemia in pregnancy in Oman.
A quantitative retrospective comparison study design was used. Medical records of
women who attended antenatal care and gave birth at Sultan Qaboos University hospital
between 1
st/01/2020 to 31st/12/2022 were examined. The sample size was calculated using
Epi Info statistical software version 7.2.5.0. Convenient sampling method together with
inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select eligible women. Women in Oman
reproductive age 15 and 49 years, with singleton pregnancy, a record of third trimester
haemoglobin were included in the study. Women were excluded if their first visit was at
time of giving birth, had acute, chronic, hereditary and gestational diseases. Lastly, if the
foetus were diagnosed with congenital abnormalities. The study included 454 women with
anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL) who were compared with 269 women without anaemia (Hb >
11.0 g/dL). Data was recorded using data collection sheet and analysed with Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences. The relationship was assessed using the Mann-Whitney
U test and Chi-square test with set P value ≤ .05.
A total of 723 pregnant women who attended antenatal and delivered at Sultan Qaboos
University Hospital met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Of these,
445(62.8%) were anaemic and 269(37.2%) were non-anaemic. The risk factors that were
found to be statistically significant included; body mass index P ≤ .041, nationality p
≤ .030, and weeks of gestation P ≤ .037. Nevertheless, parity, gravidity, antenatal visits,
place of residence occupation showed no statistical significance. In addition, anaemia in
pregnancy was significantly associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes like
postpartum haemorrhage with p ≤ .019, preterm birth with P ≤ .037, low birth weight with
P ≤ .009, intrauterine growth restriction with P ≤ .002. However, LOS and CS were not
statistically significant.
The results indicated that anaemia continues to be a severe health problem among pregnant
women in Oman. Anaemia in pregnancy was associated with adverse maternal-fetal
outcomes and risk factors and it increases maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
rates. Early screening of pregnant women, routine provision of standard dose of iron
supplements, routine nutritional education, proper treatment of anaemia with doubled
effort in third stage of labour, would reduce the occurrences of anaemia and its
consequences.
