Rural-Urban Disparities in Anemia Level among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: Data Collection Archive from NDHS

The concentration of hemoglobin in pregnant women plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the fetus. Hemoglobin, a globular protein found in red blood cells, exhibits reversible binding with oxygen and carbon dioxide, facilitating the exchange of gases between the lungs and body tissues. Comprising four protein units, each hemoglobin molecule features a heme group with an iron atom at its core, forming an oxyhemoglobin complex when binding with oxygen in the lungs. In all living organisms, iron is an indispensable mineral crucial for DNA synthesis, cellular respiration, energy production, and oxygen transportation. Throughout pregnancy, the demand for oxygen intensifies due to fetal growth and hormonal changes in the mother's body system. This underscores the critical role of maintaining optimal hemoglobin levels to support the increased oxygen requirements during this dynamic physiological state.