Abstract
BackgroundAnemia is a public health concern at a global level. This study aims to delineate the association between household economic inequalities, and anemia among reproductive age group women in Bangladesh, along with other confounders.MethodsA cross-sectional population sample from Bangladesh Demographic and health survey data comprising of 5920 reproductive age group women aged between 15 and 49 years was used in this study. The analyses were performed through the application of proportional odds into four models (viz., Model:1 socio-economic, Model:2 socio-demographic factors, Model 3: diabetics and maternity statis, Model 4: nutritional status.)ResultsThe respondents from low and medium socioeconomic status (SES) households vs. richest households were 1.90 (95% CI, 1.65,2.17; p < .01) and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.12,1.78; p < .01) times more likely to suffer from anemia (Model 1). From the model 2 it appears that he likelihood of being anemic reduces for the low and medium SES groups vs. high SES group when sociodemographic variables are added (OR, 1.69, 95% CI, 1.43,1.99 and OR, 1.35, 95% CI, .07,1.70; p < 0.01, respectively). Model 3 evident that after adding the variables of diabetes and maternity status, the association between having anemia belonging to low and medium SES vs. high SES becomes weaker (OR1.36, 95% CI,0.85,2.15 and OR, 1.15, 95% CI, 0.6,2.19; p > .05, respectively). Moreover, the strength of the association between anemia and the subjects with pregnant vs. the subjects without these (OR: 1.7 (1.12, 4.02; p < 0.05) 1.47(0.11,3.399; p < 0.05) conditions was reduced after factoring body mass index (BMI, model 4). Besides, thin women (MBI < 18.50 Kg/m2) shows significantly become more likely to be anemic in comparison to women of normal BMI (OR:1.34, .92,1.96; p < 0.05) (model 4).ConclusionsBMI, pregnancy, and diabetes mellitus were observed to be significantly associated with anemia, and the strength of the association was low with anemia and socioeconomic inequality.
Highlights
Anemia is a public health concern at a global level
The chisquare test indicated that the differences observed in the percentage of women classified as anemic based on factors such as Socio Economic Status (SES), respondent education level, place of residence, age, maternity status, fasting blood plasma glucose level and nutritional status, were statically significant (p < 0.05)
The concentration index indicates that the trends of anemia, underweight, prediabetes and diabetes were stronger in the individuals belonging to low SES category (Table 3)
Summary
Anemia is a public health concern at a global level. This study aims to delineate the association between household economic inequalities, and anemia among reproductive age group women in Bangladesh, along with other confounders. The high prevalence of anemia is of great concern because it is associated with cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional abilities [7]. These abilities are linked with academic achievement and economic productivity [8]. Anemia in women of reproductive age is of public health concern and is a significant contributor to comorbidities in Bangladesh. It is imperative to identify the factors associated with anemia in order to effectively combat the disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
