PREVALENCE OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT HAWASSA UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL
Abstract
Author(s): Fanuel Belayneh, Addis G/Mariam, Fithamlak Solomon, Zeleke Geto, Antene Amsalu, Demiss Nigussie and Derese Daka.
Background: Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count of less than 150 × 109/l, during pregnancy is the major risk factor associated with significant bleeding at the time of delivery. However, screenin g and follow up of pregnant woman during, their antenatal care visit is not yet practiced in resource limited countries. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of thrombocytopenia, and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral Hospital. Method: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 19 to sep 23, 2015 at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral Hospital. A total of 198 pregnant women included in the study using consecutive sampling technique. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to assess the predictors of thrombocytopenia. Variables which were significant in the bivariate analysis at p-value < 0.2 were entered to the multivariate analysis. P- Value of < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Result: A total of 193 women on ANC follow-up at the Hospiatal were participated in the study with a response rate of 97.47%. Thrombocytopenia was found among 26 women with a prevalence of 13.5%. The mean (±SD) platelet count was 249.9× 109/L (±88.7). Hemoglobin level and educational status were identified to have association with thrombocytopenia with [AOR=9.8: 95% CI, 1.1-82.4] and [AOR=9.9: 95% CI, 1.2-82.8] respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia is 13.50%, dominantly with mild type. Thrombocytopenia is higher in pregnant women with anemia. Therefore, the pregnant women screening should include platelet count especially when the woman is anemic to avoid adverse outcomes. Key words: Thrombocytopenia, pregnancy, ANC
