LAUSR

Background Anemia is a major public health problem in Morocco especially among vulnerable groups including pregnant women. Several studies have confirmed that anemia is associated with demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Objective The objective of this study is to describe the socioeconomic, cultural and demographic profile of a group of anemic pregnant women and to determine the conditions influencing the development of anemia in the Moroccan context Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by structured interview among a group of Moroccan pregnant women (300 of anemic women and 425 of non-anemic). Data were collected on biodemographic and socio-economic variables, the socio-cultural conditions of the women, the characteristics of the pregnancy and information relating to anemia. Results Using the WHO classification criterion according to the severity of anemia, 40.6%, 56.6% and 2.8% of anaemic women were respectively mildly, moderately and severely anemic. Primiparity, unemployment, lower socio-economic level and illiteracy, were found to be associated with the development of anemia in pregnant women. Conclusion In Morocco, nutritional problems hamper human development and improvement of health status. Knowledge of the strictness of deficiencies and factors associated are necessary to develop adapted strategies intervention to the national context.