Frequency of Betel nut Addiction in Pregnant Anaemic Women and its impact on fetal outcome

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of betel nut addiction in pregnant anaemic women and to find out its association with adverse pregnancy outcome. METHODOLOGY: This observational study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology unit 2 at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro from January to June 2015. All the pregnant women admitted in ward or labour room for delivery with Hb% < 11gm/dl during the study period were included. Those having history of antepartum haemorrhage, preeclampsia, eclampsia, chorioamnionitis or any medical disorder except anaemia were excluded. The frequency of betel nut consumption was calculated. The frequency of addiction in different age groups, parity and population (rural/urban) was determined. The association of addiction with severity of anaemia and adverse fetal outcome (perinatal deaths, low birth weight infants, preterm deliveries) was also determined. RESULTS: A total of 1700 women were included. Out of these, 1120 women (65.88%) were found having history of betel nut consumption. The frequency of addiction was highest in the age group of 25-35 (69.83%), para 2-5 (68.17%) and in women belonged from rural area (77.49%). History of addiction was found in 66.15% (n = 260) cases of fetal death, 71% (n = 169) cases of low birth weight infants and 68.59% (n = 121) cases of preterm deliveries. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that betel nut consumption among pregnant women is very high in our community. It is also determined that these products are positively associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.