Abstract

Pregnancy anemia is a global health issue that affects low-, middle-, and high-income nations and has a number of
negative effects on health and socioeconomic development. Globally, an estimated 40.1% of expectant mothers
experience anemia. One of the most difficult public health issues in underdeveloped nations is anemia during
pregnancy. Severe anemia contributes to maternal morbidity and death on a very regular basis, even if a causal
connection isn't always established. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and demographic
characteristics of pregnant women with anemia attending antenatal care at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital
(FPRRH). A hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of
anemia and the demographic characteristics of pregnant women with anemia at FPRRH. Using a sample of 384
pregnant women attending antenatal care at FPRRH. The participants were selected consecutively until desired
sample size was attained. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Fortportal
Regional Referral Hospital was found to be 15% and those without anemia were 85%. The majority of pregnant
mothers with anemia were under the age of 25, followed by those between the ages of 26 and 35, and a minority over
35. The majority of mothers with anemia had completed primary school, followed by tertiary and secondary. Also,
most of the mothers with anemia earned UGX100,000-150,000, with a minority earning UGX260,000-300,000 or
more. The majority of mothers with anemia were single, divorced, and married. The majority of anemic mothers
were Anglican, followed by Catholics and Adventists. Age, education level, income level, and marital status, the
religion of mothers attending antenatal care at FPRRH, were associated with the occurrence of anemia. The
population needs to be educated about the effects of anemia in pregnancy such that pregnant mothers take caution
against anemia. The government should improve antenatal care services.