Anemia in Pregnancy: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Women Receiving Antenatal Care at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital

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Published Feb 21, 2026
https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v5i01.416
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Vol. 5 No. 01 (2026): January

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Wahida Ahmady
Nangarhar University
Mohammad Haroon Rahemi
Nangarhar University
Hafiza Sahak
Nangarhar University
Suhaila Rahimi
Nangarhar University
Ourzala Saidal
Nangarhar University

Abstract

Anemia in pregnancy remains a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where nutritional deficiencies, infectious diseases, and limited access to quality antenatal care are common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, morphological patterns, severity, and associated obstetric and medical factors of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 15 to November 15, 2024, among pregnant women attending ANC services at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital, Jalalabad. A total of 1,130 eligible women were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and review of antenatal records. Hemoglobin levels and red blood cell indices were used to diagnose, classify, and assess the severity of anemia according to WHO criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and descriptive statistics were employed. The overall prevalence of anemia was 57% among the study participants. Normocytic normochromic anemia was the most common morphological type (69.9%), followed by microcytic hypochromic anemia (29.3%). Mild anemia accounted for 68.9% of cases, while 23.9% and 7.1% had moderate and severe anemia, respectively. High parity, short interpregnancy intervals, low ANC attendance, malaria, hookworm infection, and low iron supplement use was common among anemic women. In conclusion, Anemia is highly prevalent among pregnant women attending ANC at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital and represents a severe public health problem. Strengthening antenatal care services and conducting further analytical and interventional researches with emphasis on early screening, nutritional supplementation, infection control, and maternal health education is strongly recommended.

Keywords

Anemia, Antenatal, care, Associated, factors, Nangarhar, Pregnant, women, Prevalence

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Author Biographies

Wahida Ahmady, Nangarhar University

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Mohammad Haroon Rahemi, Nangarhar University

Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad Afghanistan

Hafiza Sahak, Nangarhar University

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Suhaila Rahimi, Nangarhar University

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Ourzala Saidal, Nangarhar University

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

How to Cite
Ahmady, W., Rahemi, M. H., Sahak, H., Rahimi, S., & Saidal, O. (2026). Anemia in Pregnancy: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Women Receiving Antenatal Care at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital. Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences, 5(01), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v5i01.416

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