Correlates of Anemia Status Among Women of Reproductive Age in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a  condition  characterized  by  a  low  level  of  hemoglobin  in  the  blood which seriously affects young children and women (1). It is  a  global  public  health  problem  affecting  both  developing  and  developed countries  with  major  consequences  for  human  health  as  well  as  social  and  economic development.

Objective: To    identify    socio-economic,    demographic and health correlates of anemia status among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia.

Methods:  Data  from  the  Ethiopian  Demographic  and  Health  Survey conducted  in  2011 was  used for this study. Data of a total of 15,567 women of reproductive age were included in the analysis. The prevalence of anaemia was calculated and chi-square tests, odds ratios and binary logistic regression were used to identify the relationship between anemia and each independent variable.

Results: The overall prevalence of anemia in the women aged 15-49 years was 19.9 %. Total number of  children  born,  BMI, region, educational level, wealth  index, pregnancy, months  of  breast  feeding and contraceptive  use were  significantly correlated with  anemia. Utilizing maternity services, receiving iron tablet and drug use for intestinal parasite have a significant effect in reducing the risk of anemia. The exposure of anemia increases with gestational age among pregnant women.

Recommendation: Women health  intervention  programs  including  access  to  maternal  health  care  service,  iron supplementation,  drug use for  intestinal  parasite, improving mothers’ access to education and  family planning practice have   been  strongly  recommended  in  order  to  reduce  the risk of  anemia among women.