Haematological Indices, Hypertension and Dietary Pattern among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is a major global health concern, contributing to complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, miscarriage, and heightened susceptibility to infections in both mothers and infants. Objective: This study aimed to assess haematological indices, blood pressure status, and dietary patterns among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2014 involving 250 pregnant women selected through simple random sampling from a population of 440 antenatal attendees. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and food consumption patterns were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Haemoglobin concentration was measured using the cyanmethemoglobin method, and packed cell volume (PCV) was determined by microhematocrit centrifugation. Blood pressure was assessed following standard procedures using an automated sphygmomanometer. Participants were also screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, and associations between categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square (χ²) test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of NDUTH (Approval number: NDUTH/HREC/2023/145). Results: Stage I and Stage II hypertension were identified in 9.6% and 8.0% of respondents, respectively. Anaemia was present in 36.4% of participants, categorized as mild (22.8%), moderate (10.0%), and severe (3.6%). Dietary assessment revealed low intake of milk, fruits, and vegetables, and a high frequency of eating meals outside the home. Conclusion: The study highlights poor dietary habits and unhealthy lifestyle practices as key contributors to the prevalence of anaemia and hypertension in pregnancy. Targeted nutritional interventions and lifestyle modifications are recommended to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.