Anemia among pregnant women in internally displaced camps in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study on prevalence, severity and associated risk factors

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is a serious global public health problem in most developing countries and a
major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Somalia which already had very high maternal mortality ratio of 829
per 100,000 live births, pregnant women in internally displaced camps (IDPs) remain at most exposed. The aim of the
study was to determine the prevalence, severity and associated risk factors of anemia among pregnant women in
internally displaced camps in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 households in the most IDP settled
districts in Mogadishu. Every pregnant mother in these sampled households who was voluntarily consented was
targeted. A sample of blood was also taken by pricking the fngertip and inserted into hemoglobin meter. Those with
Hb<11g/dl from hemoglobin meter had been taken another sample of 3 cc blood and put into EDTA tube for CBC
analysis to identify the type of anemia. Data on risk factors were collected using structured pretested questionnaire
via an interview. Collected data was coded and entered in SPSS- Version 22 for analysis. Descriptive analysis, bivariate
chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were done.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia among study participants was 44.4% (95%CI: 39.5-49.3%), where severe
and moderate anemia were 11.8 and 47.0% respectively. In addition all anaemic cases were microcytic hypochromic
anemia. Young maternal age, low Family income, fewer/zero parity, being at third or second trimesters, lack of ANC
attendance during pregnancy, lack of iron supplementation during pregnancy, taking tea immediately after meal during pregnancy, lower/zero frequency of daily meat and vegetables consumption during pregnancy were associated
risk factors of anemia.
Conclusion: The anemia prevalence from this study was severe public health problem. Several factors were found to
be associated with anemia during pregnancy. Measures has to be taken to curb the problem by including them mass
iron supplementation and health education towards identifed risk factors.
Keywords: Anemia, Pregnant women, IDP, Camps, Mogadishu, Jazeera University