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Anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in pregnant women in Ghana

02 October 2024
Volume 32 · Issue 10

Abstract

Background/Aims

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency worsens the risk of anaemia and complicates gestation and birth if poorly managed. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with anaemia and this deficiency in pregnant women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 pregnant women at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital, Ghana. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between anaemia and various sociodemographic variables.

Results

The prevalence of anaemia was 41.2% at 13 weeks' and 66.7% at 36 weeks' gestation. Overall, 29.8% of participants were glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient. Age (P=0.024)and marital status (P=0.009) were significantly associated with anaemia at 13 weeks. Gravidity (P=0.014) and employment status (P=0.001) were significantly associated with anaemia at 36 weeks.

Conclusions

There was a high prevalence of co-morbid anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency at 13 and 36 weeks' gestation. Future studies should consider genetic and dietary factors that may contribute to gestational anaemia.

Implications for practice

Clinicians and midwives should be aware of the factors that can affect anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, particularly in areas where deficiency is prevalent. Early detection could allow individualised treatment.

Anaemia is a serious public health problem that affects 24.8% of the world's population and is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disease worldwide (Gaillard et al, 2014; Gebreweld et al, 2018). It is a blood disorder in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells (Mayo Clinic, 2023). In pregnant women, it is defined as a haemoglobin concentration <11g/dL (World Health Organization (WHO), 2011). The WHO states that the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women is 14% in industrialised countries and 51% in underdeveloped countries (Mangla and Singla, 2016). Approximately 65–75% of all anaemia cases in underdeveloped countries occur in India (Natekar et al, 2022). In sub-Saharan Africa, anaemia affects approximately 39% of women of reproductive age (WHO, 2017).

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