BACKGROUND: Anaemia in pregnancy is a common obstetric problem, particularly in developing countries where poverty, ignorance and diseases are very prevalent amongst the people. It is a direct and indirect cause of material and perinatal morbidity. Anaemia in pregnancy is a preventable medical condition through public health interventions and well structured antenatal care, which is potentially feasible and cost effective. The prevalence data from many developing countries are few, inadequate, and showed worsening trend. In order to strengthen the understanding of the disease and the planning for the management of patients, this study sought to ascertain the prevalence of anaemia and sociodemographic characteristics of anaemic pregnant women at booking in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and socio-demographic characteristics of anaemic pregnant women at booking in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, South East Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was a cross sectional survey of five hundred consecutive patients with singleton pregnancies and of Nigerian heritage booking for antenatal care. Following an informed consent, socio-demographic, medical and obstetric characteristics of the subjects were collected. Their packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration were also determine for the presence or absence of anaemia. Results of other routine investigations at booking were collected. Analysis was done with Epi info 2006. The data of the anaemic pregnant women were compared with those of their non-anaemic counterparts.