OBJECTIVE:
to evaluate prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin levels among pregnant women before and after mandatory flour fortification with iron, and to investigate associated factors.
METHODS:
We compared two independent cross-sectional samples of pregnant women from Cuiaba-MT, Brazil (2003 to 2006), divided into two groups: not-fortified (n=414) and fortified (n=539); we conducted logistic and linear regression analysis, with a 5% significance level.
RESULTS:
there were no differences between the not-fortified and fortified groups with regard to the prevalence of anemia (22.2% and 27.8%, respectively; p=0.051) and hemoglobin level (mean=11.7g/dL; p=0.058); higher anemia prevalence and lower mean hemoglobin levels were associated with a higher number of previous pregnancies, greater gestational age and lower weight in early pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS:
the study shows no significant effect of mandatory flour fortification with iron, but it highlights an important prevalence of anemia and associated factors that must be considered in the evaluation of anemia in pregnancy.
Pregnant Women; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Food, Fortified; Prenatal Care; Cross-Sectional Studies
