HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION IN PREGNANT-WOMEN - EXPERIENCE FROM MOSHI, TANZANIA

Background. Anemia in pregnancy is common in Tanzania. Previous inform ation on distributon of hemoglobin concentration in total populations is scarce. Methods. Standard measurement of hemoglobin concentration i n consecutive first visit attenders at the antenatal care clinic in Mo shi, 1991-1994, for a total of 1800, divided into three series of 600 each. Results. Hemoglobin concentrations ranged from 41 to 146 g/l, me an 96.9 and s.d. 16.3. For international comparison, 74.5% were below 110 g/l and 7.0% below 70 g/l. The median was 97.0; other percentiles were 10th: 75.0, 90th: 116.0. The distribution did not change with mot her's age, but in the years 1991 and 1994 there were more low hemoglob in values than in the intervening years. Conclusions. Low hemoglobin c oncentrations are prevalent among pregnant women in Moshi, Tanzania. S even percent were found to have severe anemia, defined as a hemoglobin concentration below 70 g/l. (C) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1996