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

2026-02-21T11:16:06+0430

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.

Isolation of salmonella from Raw milk and Cheese

2026-02-21T11:59:55+0430

Milk and dairy products are considered among the most valuable nutritional sources for humans because they provide all the essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals,the current study aimed to isolation of salmonella from raw milk and cheese In this study, 15 samples of raw milk and 15 samples of cheese, making a total of 30, were collected from different milk and cheese vendors in Jalalabad city. from November 22, 2017, to April 19, 2018, The samples were placed in sterilized bottles and transferred within 24 hours to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The samples were cultured, subjected to Gram staining, and examined under a microscope for the identification of Salmonella bacteria .The results showed that , among cheese samples, 1(7%) were positive for salmonella and 14 (93%) were negative. In raw milk samples,0(0%) were positive for salmonella and 15(100%) were negative.It can therefore be concluded that Salmonella was detected at a very low prevalence in raw milk and cheese, whereas other microorganisms, such as Shigella, were present at a considerably higher rate.

Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences

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

Isolation of salmonella from Raw milk and Cheese