Pregnant mothers are more anemic than lactating mothers, a comparative cross-sectional study, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Background: Information on the hemoglobin status of pregnant and lactating mothers was scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine the burden and determinants of anemia in the pregnant and lactating mother.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the prevalence of anemia. Binary logistic regression and multiple linear regressions were used to identify the predictors of anemia.

Results: The prevalence of anemia in lactating and pregnant women was 43.00% (95% CI {confidence interval}, 41% - 45%) and 84% of anemia was microcytic and hypocromic anemia. Anemia in lactating and pregnant women was positively associated with malaria infection [AOR{adjusted odds ratio} 3.61 (95% CI: 2.63-4.95)], abortion [AOR 6.63 (95% CI: 3.23-13.6)], hookworm infection [AOR 3.37 (95% CI: 2.33-4.88)], tea consumption [AOR 3.63 (95% CI: 2.56-5.14)], pregnancy [AOR 2.24 (95% CI: 1.57-3.12)], and Mid-upper arm circumference [ B 0.36 (95% CI: 0.33, -0.4)]. Anemia in pregnant and lactating mother was negatively associated with urban residence [AOR 0.68, (95% CI: 0.5-0.94)], iron supplementation during pregnancy [AOR 0.03 (95% CI, 0.02-0.04)], parity [ B -0.18 (95% CI: -0.23, -0.14)], age [B -0.03 (95% CI: -0.04, -0.03)].

Conclusion: The burden of anemia was higher in pregnant women than lactating women.