Biological and Behavioral Contributors to Anemia During Pregnancy in Liberia, West Africa

Research was conducted in the Republic of Liberia among 605 pregnant and 16 nonpregnant women to examine the major biological and cultural factors associated with anemia during the last trimester of pregnancy. The variables examined included: diet quality and food taboos parasite prevalence and load hemoglobin phenotype attitudes toward pregnancy and use of Western antenatal services. WHO hemoglobin standards (11.0 g/dl) were used to define anemia. Results indicate a 78% prevalence of anemia. The most important determinants included: the diet quality of food taboos which result potentially in a low intake or absorption of biologically available iron; parasitemia by hookworms; traditional attitudes toward pregnancy which minimize the symptoms of anemia and provide only postpartum increases in dietary protein and reduced workload; and the underutilization of early available antenatal care particularly by primiparous teenage women and multiparous women over the age of 35 with 5 or more living offspring. Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia are of low frequency in this population and are minor contributors to anemia. (authors)