Prevalence and factors associated with severe anaemia post-caesarean section at a tertiary Hospital in Southwestern Uganda

Immediate postpartum anemia and associated factors at shewarobit health facilities, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Immediate postpartum anemia occurs when the amount of red blood cell count is reduced or hemoglobin concentration is below 10 g/dl in the immediate postpartum. It occurs primarily due to inadequate iron intake before and during pregnancy and blood loss during delivery. The aim of this study is to assess the proportion of immediate postpartum anemia and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at Shewarobit health facilities; in Amhara, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2022. A systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants. The data were collected through interviewer-assisted questions. Data were entered into Epi Data software version 4.6.0.4 and exported to SPSS 21 for analysis, and descriptive statistics were computed. Logistic regression was applied, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

This study was conducted among 307 study participants and, the proportion of immediate postpartum anemia was 41.4% [95% CI: 36.7-46.6]. Having postpartum hemorrhage [AOR = 4.76, 95% CI: 2.44-9.28], not taking iron and folic acid supplementation [AOR = 6.19, 95% CI: 2.69, 14.22], having a prolonged second stage of labor [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.16-5.44], and mid-upper arm circumference < 23 cm [AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.11-3.68] were factors significantly associated with immediate postpartum anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of immediate postpartum anemia was public problem in Shewarobit health facilities. Following the progress of labor using a partograph, closely monitoring and immediate intervention of PPH, and prevent undernutrition during antenatal care is recommended.

Is It Time to Alter the Standard of Care for Iron Deficiency/Iron Deficiency Anemia in Reproductive-Age Women?

Two billion people worldwide suffer from anemia, with reproductive-age women being disproportionately affected. Iron plays a crucial role in cellular function and impacts cognition, physical function, and quality of life. Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are associated with adverse effects on pregnancy and fetal development. Oral iron supplementation has been the standard treatment for decades, often producing sub-optimal outcomes. Many babies are still being born with ID and suffer adverse sequelae due to inadequate iron levels in the mothers. Is it time to consider a broad scale-up of parenteral iron as a new standard of care?

Prevalence and Associated Factors for Post-Caesarean Delivery Blood Transfusion in Eastern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Obstetric haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Caesarean delivery (CD) is associated with significant blood loss, which may require blood transfusions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors for post-CD transfusion.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif maternity hospital, eastern Sudan, from March to September 2020. Sociodemographic, obstetric and clinical data, including pre- and postoperative haemoglobin levels, were collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 539 women were enrolled in the study; the median (interquartile range) age of these women was 28.0 (8.0) years. The overall post-CD transfusion rate was 8.2%. Emergency CD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25‒5.28) and antepartum haemorrhage (AOR=44.70, 95% CI=11.18‒178.76) were associated with increased risk of post-CD blood transfusion. Preoperative haemoglobin (AOR=0.48, 95% CI=0.36‒0.64) and rural residence (AOR=0.45, 95% CI=0.22‒0.93) were associated with reduced risk for post-CD blood transfusion.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of post-CD transfusion in this part of Sudan is 8.2%. Women with emergency CD, low preoperative haemoglobin levels and antepartum haemorrhage were at higher risk for post-CD transfusion. Risk identification and correction of antenatal anaemia can reduce the hazard of blood transfusion among CD women.