Sociodemographic and dietary correlates of anemia in pregnant women in Peru

The objective of this article is to identify sociodemographic and dietary correlates of iron-deficiency anemia among pregnant women in Chanchamayo, Peru. A dietary and socio-demographic survey was conducted among 206 pregnant women in July 2002. Blood analyses were performed to determine the presence of anemia (Hb < 110 g/L) among study participants. A higher prevalence of anemia was found in women from rural (51.2%), compared to semi-urban (32.8%), and urban (31.6%) areas. No significant difference in the prevalence of anemia was found between women with different intakes of various nutrients including total iron and heme iron. However, environmental risk factors were found to be statistically associated with anemia (OR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.07, 4.53). Factors other than total caloric intake and daily iron intake must be further investigated to explain the significantly higher proportion of anemia in pregnant women living in rural areas. Our evidence suggests that environmental factors including parasitic infection could play an important etiological role.