Objective:

To compare the diagnosis and management of anemia during pregnancy in urban and rural women.

Methods:

Cross-sectional descriptive study, based on an analysis of a national health survey from 2022. Records of 18889 women with a pregnancy in the last 5 years were included. Frequencies and weighted percentages were estimated; in addition, the chi-square test was applied at a significance level of 0.05.

Results:

94% of women were screened for anemia; this procedure was more frequent in urban areas (94.9%) compared to rural areas (91.1%). Most women were not diagnosed with anemia, but there was no difference between rural (29.8%) and urban (28.3%) areas. Regarding indication and adherence to treatment for anemia, this was significantly higher in urban couples, at 96.7% and 65.5%, respectively.

Conclusion:

In urban areas, the percentage of women of anemia ruling out, as well as treatment indication and compliance was higher. The diagnosis of anemia showed no differences between the two areas.