Description

ABSTRACT

Background: Pre-operative anaemia is a notifiable and modifiable risk factor for surgical patients. It has been closely linked with increased post-operative morbidity, mortality and increased risk of peri-operative blood transfusion. According to large observational study the prevalence of pre-operative anaemia ranges from 25% to 40%. Establishment of pre-operative anaemia screening clinic is necessary to enhance the diagnosis and management of pre-operative anaemia.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of pre-operative anaemia in surgical patients at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

Method: It was a cross sectional study of pre-operative patients at the Surgery and Obstetrics/Gyaecology departments of The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. The cut-off for anaemia was 33% in line with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Information was retrieved from patients case notes using a structured profoma and analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: A total of 370 patients were attended to pre-operatively. There were 146 (39.5%) males and 224 (60.5%) females. The mean age was 31 years. One hundred and ninety four (52.4%) were obstetrics and gynaecological surgeries while 176 (47.6 %) were non-gynaecological surgeries. The commonest indication for surgery was caesarean section representing 126 (34.1%) of the subjects.  Two hundred and seventy two of the subjects(73.5%) had PCV less than 33%. One hundred and eighty four (67.9%) women had PCV less than 33% while 88 (32.1%) of the men had PCV less than 33%.

Conclusion: The study revealed that prevalence of anaemia amongst pre-operative patients at RSUTH was 73.6%. Anaemia was highest amongst  Obstetrics and gynaecological patients compared to other surgical patients.

Key words: Prevalence, Anaemia, Pre-surgery, RSUTH