| dc.description.abstract | Thrombocytopenia has been defined as a bleeding disorder characterized by the circulation of lower than normal amounts of platelets in the blood. Globally, thrombocytopenia is considered to be the most common hematological abnormality among pregnant women. In Kenya, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women has not been documented, however, records at the Homabay County Teaching and Referral Hospital (HTRH) show that between the year 2019 and 2021, there was an increase in the number of cases of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women attending the facility compared to the data for the same period in the neighboring Counties. Several factors have been associated with thrombocytopenia among pregnant women include; bone marrow disorder such as leukemia, side effects of taking certain medications, hereditary, gestational related thrombocytopenia, infections such as malaria, HIV, and diseases such as aplastic anemia. However, the majority of the studies done so far have focused on pediatric hematological cases, leaving information gap on factors associated with thrombocytopenia among pregnant women. Anodal information remotely relate malaria in pregnancy history, HIV infections and even familial characteristics with thrombocytopenia occurrence among pregnant women but this needs to confirmed by a formal study. The overall objective of this study therefore was to investigate the factors associated with thrombocytopenia among pregnant women seeking antenatal care services (ANC) in Homabay County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the association between familial characteristics, malaria, and HIV/AIDS and thrombocytopenia among pregnant women. The study adopted cross-sectional design with a sample size of 161 pregnant women seeking ANC services at HTRH. Consecutive sampling method was used to select the participants. This approach was complemented with retrospective assessment of disease events to capture other information. The data collection tools were a structured questionnaire and a medical record abstraction form. The data analysis involved univariable, bi-variable and multivariable techniques. Inferential analysis was done using a binomial logit model, with statistical significance established at P-values less than 0.05. Ethical clearance was obtained from the MUERC, HTRH, and NACOSTI. Consent was also sought from each of the participants as a show of one’s own discretion to participate in the study. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Homabay County was 14%; the odds of having thrombocytopenia were less by 94% among pregnant women to whom the person with thrombocytopenia history in their family was their first or second degree relative (aOR = 0.056 [95% CI = 0.003 - 0.923], P = 0.044). The odds of having thrombocytopenia in the current pregnancy were 8 times higher among pregnant women who had malaria in pregnancy ( aOR = 8.199 (95% CI = 2.466 - 27.263], P = 0.001). None of the HIV related characteristics had a statistically significant association with thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Thrombocytopenia is a reality among pregnant women in Homabay and substantially prevalent, going by global and regional prevalence. In addition, the findings of this study may be a basis for policy amendment to accord the disease due attention as a maternal mortality risk confounder and thrombocytopenia should be assessed among pregnant women. | en_US |
