Prevalence of Anaemia among Gutka Addicted Pregnant Women

  • Saira Saeed Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ISRA University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Nusrat Lakho Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ISRA University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Anila Shaukat Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liaquat University Medical Sciences, Jamshoro
  • Taiba Parveen Consultant gynaecologist, District health office south Karachi
  • Rashida Memon Assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ISRA University Hospital Hyderabad
  • Firdous Khatoon Consultant Gynaecologist, Sindh Government Hospital Paretababad
Keywords: Gutka addiction

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of anemia in Gutka addict pregnant women presented at gynae and obstetrics Out patients Department (OPD)

Methodology: This was a cross sectional observational study, conducted at tertiary care hospital from Jan 2018 to June 2018.

The pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were inquired for Gutka addiction. Only gutka addict pregnant women were selected and interviewed after taking informed verbal consent. A 3 ml blood sample was taken from each subject to assess the haemoglobin level. Haemoglobin level <11.0 g/dl was considered as anemia. Data was collected via study proforma.

Results: A total of 90 pregnant women were included in study. Most of the respondents (86%) were in 21-30 years of age group. Majority of women (63.3%) were uneducated and belonged to low socioeconomically class (73.3%). Most of the women (66.6%) were addicted for more than 5 years of duration. Anemia was seen in 70% of the study participants and 55.5% (35) of them were having moderate anemia (Hb 7.0—9.0mg/dl). Severity of anemia was directly related to the amount and duration of Gutka consumption (p=<0.05).

Conclusion: Gutka addiction increases the risk of anemia in pregnant women and women are taking it as a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. So efforts should be taken to increase the awareness regarding the harmful effects of gutka on pregnancy, fetus and general health.

Published
2021-01-04
Section
Original Articles