Determination of Prevalence and Cause of Anaemia Among Adolescent Pregnant Girls in Ussher Hospital, James Town, Ghana

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> The association of anaemia with maternal and perinatal mortality poses a significant public health threat. This challenge is often exacerbated among adolescent pregnant women in low and middle-income countries. However, the prevalence of this devastating condition and its causes among pregnant teenagers in Ghana remain unclear. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap about the causes of anaemia among adolescent pregnant women attending antenatal care services at Ussher Hospital in Accra. About 329 pregnant adolescents aged 13–19 were recruited and questionnaires were administered to collect socio-demographic information. The laboratory result for the participants with respect to Haemoglobin (Hb) level and sickling status were recorded from their ANC book between June, 2023 to August, 2023. Data was presented in percentage in a tabular format. The findings revealed that 72% of pregnant adolescents were anaemic. About 5.8% had severe anaemia, while 43.1% and 23.1% had moderate and mild anaemia, respectively. Non-compliance with intake of iron and folate supplements and poor dietary practices due to financial constraints as well as genetic factors such as sickle cell disease were the primary causes of the high prevalence of anaemia recorded in this study. This study recommends nutritional education and counselling as well as interventions that promote access to healthcare and utilization of iron-folate supplements that promote nutritional balance and help to prevent anaemia especially during pregnancy.