Next Focus of China to Achieve the Global Targets 2025: Reducing the Burden and Heterogeneity of Anaemia Among Childbearing-Aged Women in Rural China

Abstract

Background: Global targets indicated that by 2025 the anaemia in women of childbearing age should be reduced 50%, compared with the baseline during 1993-2005. Knowing the updated burden and heterogeneity of anaemia among childbearing-aged women in rural areas of China is essential for further efficient anaemia control. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of anaemia and the risk factors in childbearing-aged women in rural China. Methods: During 2010-2014, 17 066 759 rural women of childbearing age (15-49 years) were enrolled in the National Family Planning Checks (NFPC) program. We examined the concentration of hemoglobin to assess women's anaemia status. Using a standardized questionnaire, we collected demographic characteristics. We used Poisson regression to identify risk factors associated with anaemia. We calculated the correlation between anaemia prevalence in childbearing-aged women and maternal mortality rate (MMR) by provinces of China. Findings: The mean hemoglobin concentration was 127*3±14*1g/L. The prevalence of anaemia was 26*5%, translating to 46 million childbearing-aged women with anaemia in rural China. Among women with anaemia, 32*8% were moderate anaemia, and 1*5% were severe anaemia. Being illiterate, belonging to ethnic minorities, living in central or western regions, living in the areas with high altitude, having two or more children, and being underweight were significantly associated with a higher risk of anaemia. Among the women diagnosed with anaemia, only 2*3% of the them were aware of their anemic status. Higher prevalence of anaemia was associated with higher MMR. Interpretation: The prevalence status of anaemia among women of childbearing age in rural China was moderate. Complexity of geographical distribution and health inequalities across socioeconomic groups are obstacles to further alleviate the burden of anaemia and maternal mortality. Therefore, resources should be allocated to enhance health service capacities in the provision of health education, detection, and management of childbearing-aged women with anaemia. Funding Statement: This study was supported by National Key Research and Development Program (No. 2016YFC100300 and No. 2016YFC100307) from Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China. Declaration of Interests: There is no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocols were approved by the Institutional Research Review Board at National Research Institute for Family Planning.