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Seasonal variation in risk of anemia among pregnant Nepali women
Author(s) -
Bondevik G.T.,
Lie R.T.,
Ulstein M.,
Kvåle G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(00)00206-x
Subject(s) - medicine , hematocrit , nepali , anemia , demography , logistic regression , psychological intervention , menstruation , hemoglobin , obstetrics , art , literature , psychiatry , sociology
Abstract Objective : We aimed to investigate whether there is any seasonal variation in risk of anemia among pregnant Nepali women. Methods : We studied the hematocrit values in pregnant women ( n =5495) attending Patan Hospital, Kathmandu for the first antenatal visit in the 2‐year period from January 1994 until December 1995. In a sub‐sample of subjects ( n =2706), additional information was obtained through interviews and clinical examinations. Logistic regression models were used to analyze data. Results : Mean hematocrit values recorded in the monsoon period were significantly lower than hematocrit values recorded in the winter. The prevalence of moderate (hematocrit 25–33%) and severe (hematocrit<25%) anemia was highest in September. Conclusions : We found a clear seasonal variation in risk of anemia, which was associated with rainfall and temperature. The monsoon seems to be a period when interventions may give the most beneficial effects.