Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors Among Term Newborns in Nekemte Specialized Hospital, Western Ethiopia

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem that affects approximately one-third of the global population. Infants and children are the ones to develop both short-term and long-term devastating complications from anemia. Although anemia is a very big public health concern, newborns, especially in developing countries, are usually overlooked and undiagnosed.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among term newborns in Nekemte Specialized Hospital, Western Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study involving 278 newborns was conducted from October to November, 2020 with an interview-based questionnaire that included maternal socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, newborn's weight and sex. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20. The prevalence of newborn anemia was shown in percentage and as a pie-chart. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of anemia in the term newborn.

Results: The overall prevalence of newborn anemia in the hospital was 29.1%. Maternal anemia (AOR: 3.95, 95% C.I.: 1.97-7.92), delivery by cesarean section (AOR: 4.17, 95% C.I.: 1.89-9.20), vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (AOR: 5.43, 95% C.I.: 1.60-18.39), and maternal failure to take iron-folate supplements during pregnancy (AOR: 2.17, 95% C.I.:1.07-4.41) were factors associated with newborn anemia.

Conclusion: Anemia among newborns in the hospital was a moderate public health problem. Policy makers should consider maternal health education and appropriate health interventions to reduce the problem. In addition, further longitudinal studies are needed to identify specific causes of newborn anemia in order to prevent the possible complications.