Cross-sectional study to assess etiology and associated factors for anaemia during first trimester of pregnancy in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka: a protocol [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

• Published in: F1000 research 2021, Vol.10, p.223
• Main Authors: Amarasinghe, Gayani, Mendis, Vasana, Agampodi, Thilini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Anemia - epidemiology; Anemia - etiology; Anuradhapura; Cross-Sectional Studies; eng; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnant Women; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka - epidemiology
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.28226.1

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy, which can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, is a significant global health problem. Despite Sri Lanka's strong public health system and commitment towards prevention, maternal anaemia remains a major problem in the country. While prevention is focused on iron deficiency, detailed etiological studies on this topic are scarce. Moreover, estimates of socio demographic and economic factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy, which can provide important clues for anaemia control, are also lacking. This study aims to evaluate the hemoglobin distribution, spatial distribution, etiology and associated factors for anaemia in pregnant women in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of pregnant women in their first trimester registered for antenatal care from July to September 2019 in the Anuradhapura district. The minimal sample size was calculated to be 1866. Initial data collection has already been carried out in special field clinics for pregnant women between June to October 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, a self-completed dietary questionnaire and an examination checklist were used for data collection. In addition, all participants underwent complete blood count testing. Further investigations are being conducted for predicting the etiology of anaemia (such as high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] and peripheral blood film analysis) based on an algorithm developed according to current evidence. Discussion: Being the largest study on anaemia during pregnancy in a single geographical area in Sri Lanka, this study will provide important clues about geographical clustering of anaemia cases with similar etiology, and will identify etiologies and factors associated with anemia. These data will help to develop interventions to improve the health of pregnant women in the area.