Prevalence of Anaemia and Pattern of Hematological Indices among Antenatal Women at Booking in a New Tertiary Health Care Facility in Southwest, Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy induces significant physiological changes because of disproportionate increase in plasma volume of approximately 50%, compared with an increase in red blood cells of 18-25%, which results in physiological anaemia. Anaemia in pregnancy remains a major public health concern. Understanding the local prevalence and patterns of haematological indices is essential to guide targeted interventions. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and describe the pattern of haematological indices among pregnant women at booking in a new tertiary health facility. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study which reviewed the electronic medical records of pregnant women at the Redeemer’s Health Village Hospital, Ogun State, between 15 June 2024 and 14 June 2025. Socio-demographic characteristics including gestational age, parity, trimester at booking and haematological parameters were extracted. Anaemia was classified by severity (World Health Organisation criteria) and morphology. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with statistical significance set at a value of p < 0.05. Results: A total of 77 women were included; majority (68.8%) aged 25–34 years. Nulliparous women accounted for 45.5% and 46.8% booked during the first trimester. In this modestly sized sample, the overall prevalence of anaemia was 36.4%. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was the most common morphological type (24.7%), followed by microcytic hypochromic (10.4%) and macrocytic normochromic (1.3%). Majority had normal white blood cell (90.9%) and platelet counts (92.2%). No significant associations were found between severity of anaemia and maternal age, parity, or trimester at booking. Conclusion: Normocytic normochromic anaemia remains common at antenatal booking in our environment. Short inter-pregnancy interval and other underlying factors may contribute to the observed burden. Strengthening preconception care and promoting adequate birth spacing may help reduce anaemia at conception and at booking.