Iron Deficiency Anemia and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Nekemte, Western Ethiopia, 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Iron deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most widespread nutritional problem in the world causing 75% of anemia among pregnant women. Despite the wider scope of the problem, limited evidence has been documented to disclose the magnitude of Iron deficiency anemia and associated factors in women attending Antenatal care unit in Ethiopia, including the study area. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomely selected 169 pregnant women attending antenatal care unit from July 01 to August 30, 2023 in Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Nekemte, Western Oromia. The data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires. Hemolobin, mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin concentration were measured using automated, quality-controled hematology analyzer (Japan, Sysmex corporation). After collection, the data was entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of IDA. Adjusted odd ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to measure the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. Level of statistical significance was declared at pvalue <0.05. Finally, the results were presented using text, tables, and charts. Result: The magnitude of iron deficiency anemia using a cut off level mean cell volume (MCV)<80fl and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) < 32g/dl was 10.06% (95%CI: 6.2%-15.3%). History of chronic illness (AOR=4.62; 95%CI: 1.54-13.81), undernutrition (MUAC<23) (AOR=3.84; 95%CI: 1.14-12.94)] and initiation of ANC at second trimester (AOR=4.94; 95%CI: 1.37, 17.79) showed significant association with iron deficiency anemia among pregnant Women. Conclusion: The magnitude of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women in this study was mild. Having history of chronic illness, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <23cm and initiation of antenatal care at second trimester were significant predictors of IDA among pregnant women. Thus, regular medical checkup, early initiation of antenatal care and providing information on dietary diversity practice are vital to prevent IDA among pregnant women in the study area.