Abstract:

Background information: There are variable change of hemoglobin levels during pregnancy from first trimester to third trimester due to different physiological change and anatomical change, the hemoglobin level (Hb) starts to decline on the end of first trimester and reaches the lowest value at the end of second trimester (24th to 32th weeks of pregnancy) with discrete increase during third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine pattern and factors associated with hemoglobin levels among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at SDDH in Mwanza region.

Methods: Data was collected from pregnant women attending SDDH, this study was conducted September 2019, a structured question was used as tool to collect data, Data analysis was done using (SPSS) and association was measured using Chi square.

Results: A total of 299 pregnant women attending ANC at SDDH was involved during the study, the most being aged between 21 and 30 (51.2%) and least of being aged above 40 years (6%) with mean age of 26.47±6.395 years (range 15_42 years) participated in this study. The hemoglobin level ranged from 6.1 to 15.5 g/dl with mean of 11.04 ± 1.52g/dl, the modest Hb level was 12.00mg/dl. About 149 (49.8%) has haemoglobin level less 11g/dl and 150 (50.2%) has hemoglobin level above (11g/dl).

Conclusion: Based on the study finding it is still valid to use WHO reference range for diagnosing anaemia in pregnant women. In our setting most pregnant women found to have mean haemoglobin value which is near to WHO cut point for diagnosing anaemia. Furthermore, much effort to ensure effective iron supplementations, SP use and antihelminthetics use as has shown strongest association as determinant of plasma haemoglobin level.