Prevalence of Anaemia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Enugu State Teaching Hospital, South East Nigeria

This study investigates the prevalence and classification of anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, located in Nigeria's South East geopolitical zone. Anaemia in pregnancy remains a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, venous blood samples were collected from 250 consecutive pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. Full blood count parameters were determined using an automated haematology analyser, and anaemia was classified according to WHO criteria. Sociodemographic data were obtained through structured questionnaires. Findings revealed an overall anaemia prevalence of 61.2 percent, with normocytic normochromic anaemia being the most common morphological type (48%), followed by microcytic hypochromic anaemia (34%), suggesting combined iron deficiency and chronic disease contributions. Primigravidae and women in the third trimester showed significantly higher anaemia rates. Dietary iron intake, frequency of antenatal visits, and iron supplementation compliance were identified as significant determinants of haemoglobin status. The study highlights the inadequacy of current supplementation programmes and recommends intensified nutritional counselling, point-of-care haemoglobin screening at every antenatal visit, and community health worker involvement in supplement adherence monitoring. These findings provide a current evidence base for improving haematological outcomes in pregnant women in the South East zone. Keywords: anaemia, pregnancy, antenatal, haemoglobin, Enugu State.