Investigation of Cultural Factors of Pregnant Women having Anaemia visiting selected Health Care Facilities at Up

Author Name: Mrs. Chilumula Chaitanya

Volume: 02/02

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/09.2024-57141324/GIJNR

Affiliation:

1. Professor cum Principal (Ph.D. scholar), Rohini College of Nursing, Hanamkonda, Telangana

ABSTRACT

Anaemia is a significant "risk factor" during pregnancy and is linked to an increased risk of poor infant weight and maternal mortality. The present study aimed to identify the cultural factors that contribute to anemia in pregnant women. In this study cultural factors refer to cooking practices, food habits, personal habits, health practices, and health problems over six months before pregnancy. Material and method: the researcher used an exploratory strategy in the current study. In order to comprehend the current issue better. In this study, 700 pregnant women, aged between 14-48 years, and visiting selected healthcare facilities in UP, for prenatal checkup were selected. Data collection: The present study was conducted in selected healthcare facilities in UP. Results majority of the anaemic pregnant women participants of the present study that is 668 (95.4%) washed vegetables before cutting, more than half of the anaemic pregnant women 416 (59.4%) drained the water after boiling the vegetables, more than half 362 (51.7%) had over- cooking practices, and only 101 (14.4%) used germinated pulses, majority of the anaemic pregnant women 502 (71.71%) had meals three times a day, 331 (47.28%) of them had habit of intake of fruits, 286 (40.85%) had gender (male) preferences in their families (best and more quantities of food is distributed to the males), and 239 (34.14%) avoided specific food during pregnancy, only 158 (22.57%) developed craving for unusual food, and 235 (33.57%) had intake of green leafy vegetables. majority of anaemic pregnant women participants of the present study 608 (86.9) had the habit of drinking tea, 442 (63.1%) drank coffee, and husbands of the 452 (64.6%) anaemic pregnant women were smokers. None of the anaemic pregnant women had smoking or drinking habits during pregnancy. Only 166 (23.7%) had regular antenatal check-up, 154 (22%) were taking multivitamins, 125 (17.9%) were taking de-worming treatment, 83 (11.9%) were taking iron tablets with vitamin C, 91 (13%) were taking iron tablets, and 67 (9.6%) used contraception methods, majority 454 (64.86%) of the anaemic pregnant women had irregular menstruation, 220 (31.4%) had menstruation for more than 7 days, 185 (26.4%) had blood clots in menstruation, 102 (14.6%) had a history of abortion, 92 (13.1%) underwent D&C, 300 (42.9%) had worm infestation, 137 (19.6%) had blood in stool, 105 (15%) had excessive menstrual flow, 74 (10.6%) underwent surgery, and none of the pregnant women had a history of malaria six months before pregnancy. Conclusion: the present study concluded that the cultural factor such as a lack of knowledge, religion and cultural prohibitions, poor food practices, and high parasite infection rates are important, poor antenatal care, high intake of coffee/tea, smoking habits of the husbands of the pregnant woman, and not using iron during pregnancy increased the chances of anemia during pregnancy.

Key words: Cultural factor, Anaemia, Pregnant women, Health