“STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LEVEL OF EDUCATION ON THE OCCURRENCE OF ANAEMIA & PREGNANCY SPECIFIC ANXIETY IN PREGNANT WOMEN OF CENTRAL SINDH”

Abstract

Background: Education enrich female with knowledge and confidence. It may produce significant positive impact throughout life especially during pregnancy. Highly educated female are considered to deal better with conditions like gestational anemia and pregnancy specific anxiety via improved knowledge, medical intervention seeking behaviors during pregnancy, and psychological coping. Lower literacy rate in central Sindh, especially female are provided with lesser opportunities in getting education as compared to their counter parts, may result in an increased occurrence of anemia and anxiety related to pregnancy.  Material & Methods: This cross sectional study conducted with collaboration of “The Department of Gynecology and obstetrics” at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad with Zoology Department of University of Sindh, among individuals from one major city of central Sindh and included 362 participants having pregnancy in their last trimester. Each recruited member of included study subject was tested for hemoglobin levels after been asked detailed demographic and Hamilton anxiety rating scale questionnaires. Results: Relationship of gestational anemia and Pregnancy Specific Anxiety was evaluated among multiple study subjects in relation to maternal education. 42% of studied participants had lower higher HAM-A scores while levels of Hemoglobin in 64% patients were below normal limit for pregnancy. P-value <0.0001 is substantial enough to indicate strongly negative relationship of PSA and anemia with illiteracy.  Conclusion: Direct inverse relationship of educational level with anemia and PSA has significantly established through this study. Treatment of GA may not only require nutritional supplementation or psychiatrics intervention but educating mothers regarding anemia and anxiety may prove to be beneficial.