Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age Group in Ethiopia, Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian and Health Survey

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developed and developing countries. “The consequences of anemia increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors of Anemia among reproductive age women in Ethiopia.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out based EDHS 2016. A total of 9416 reproductive age women were included in the analysis. Since, the outcome variable is binary; the appropriate model used was binary logistic regression.

Results: The overall prevalence of anemia among studied women was 27.8%, of which 19.3%, 6.7% and 1.8% had mild, moderate and severe respectively. Region, Place of residence, educational and economic status, 35-45 years of age, diet diversity, fruit/vegetable consumption, iron riche foods, BMI, ANC, contraceptive and numbers of children were statistically significance factors of women to suffer anemia. Rural women and those who were pregnant during the interview had 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.7) and 2.5(95% CI: 2.1-2.9) times higher risk of anemia than counterparts respectively. Women who didn’t use contraceptive (AOR =1.9, 95% CI: 1.6-2.2), didn’t use ANC (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.9- 2.6), didn’t take iron riche foods (AOR= 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5-2.3), didn’t eat fruit/vegetable (AOR =1.5,95% CI 1.2-1.8), ate low diet diversity (AOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.3-1.9) were more likely to develop anemia than counter parts.

Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among women in reproductive age is still high in Ethiopia. Family planning, ANC during pregnancy, iron riche foods and educational empowerment of women has positive contribution in struggle anemia.