Strengthening the implementation of routine screening for pregnancy-related anaemia in Nigeria

Project Details

Description

Pregnancy-related anaemia is a major public health concern globally and especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is increased maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.1 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pregnancy-related anaemia is defined as haemoglobin concentration (Hb) less than 11g/dL and is categorised into mild (Hb 9.0-10.9g/dL), moderate (Hb 7.0-8.9g/dL) and severe (Hb <7.0g/dL).2 The underlying common causative factors of pregnancy-related anaemia range from nutritional deficiencies, blood loss, infection, haemoglobinopathies and other chronic diseases.3 In Africa, 31-52% of pregnant women may experience anaemia with iron deficiency anaemia accounting for 50-75% of the cases.4,5
Anaemia in pregnancy and postpartum may lead to maternal complications including maternal mortality, preeclampsia, and maternal depression, as well as foetal and neonatal complications such as perinatal mortality, preterm birth, and low birth weight.6,7 Prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment of pregnancy-related anaemia, in addition to appropriate referral as indicated, are vital to avoid these complications.
Despite the incorporation of programmes and services for detection and treatment of anaemia in antenatal and postnatal care, there are systemic barriers in the continuum of care for pregnant women that limits their utilization. Quality improvement initiatives are therefore required to identify and address these barriers. Successful implementation of such efforts will significantly improve critical maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes.
Several practice-based quality improvement studies on diagnosis and management of antepartum and postpartum anaemia have been conducted, mostly in high-income countries, with the development and implementation of strategies that resulted in significant improvement in maternal care.8–10 However, only a few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have assessed quality improvement approaches to diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related anaemia.11
There are no quality improvement studies done in Nigeria, where obstetric anaemia is highly prevalent, to strengthen routine screening for anaemia in pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study will provide the much-needed research to develop, test and implement strategies that will improve the routine screening for pregnancy-related anaemia in the Nigerian healthcare system

Layman's description


StatusActive
Effective start/end date29/05/24 → …

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.