Abstract
Background Globally, anemia affects one-fourth of the world population including 30% of nonpregnant reproductive-aged women. It has a number of causes including micronutrient deficiencies and chronic infections, inherited or acquired disorders of hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production, or survival alterations. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among reproductive-aged women in Sayint Adjibar town, South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April among 359 reproductive-aged women (RAW). Systematic random sampling technique was implemented to select study participants. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and reproductive histories of study participants were collected using the structured and pretested questionnaire. Capillary blood and stool samples were collected from each study participant for hemoglobin and parasitological analysis, respectively. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors of anemia. p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result The median age of the study participants was 25 years. The overall prevalence of anemia was 24.2%. Among those anemic individuals, 49 (56.3%) were mildly anemic. Age category 36–49 years (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.05, 6.60), no formal educational status (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.92), food insecurity (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.01–3.65), and body mass index of above 25 kg/m2 (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.87) were found to be statistically significant with anemia. Conclusion The prevalence of anemia in this study was found as a moderate public health problem. The prevalence was significantly associated with women who had no formal education and were of older age group and those women living with household food insecurity and with higher body mass index. Therefore, it is better to design appropriate interventional strategies to reduce reproductive-aged women anemia. These include information, education, and communication activities focused on reproductive-aged women with no formal education and life-cycle-focused food security rather than targeted to only infants and young children or pregnant women.
Highlights
Anemia affects one-fourth of the world population including 30% of nonpregnant reproductive-aged women
Hb measurement plays a vital role in the diagnosis of anemia since it is inexpensive and easy to measure at field testing [3]
Based on the town municipality 2010 Ethiopian calendar demographic data, the town population size was 9693 which comprises 5306 females and 4387 males. ere are a total of 2254 households in the town. e altitude of Sayint Adjibar town is 2885 meters above sea level, and the altitude of the Amhara Sayint District ranges from 500 meters to 3,700 meters above sea level
Summary
Anemia affects one-fourth of the world population including 30% of nonpregnant reproductive-aged women It has a number of causes including micronutrient deficiencies and chronic infections, inherited or acquired disorders of hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production, or survival alterations. Anemia is defined as a decrease in Red Blood Cells (RBCs), Hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit below the reference range for healthy individuals of the same age, sex, and race, under similar environmental conditions [1]. For nonpregnant women, it is defined when the Hb level is below 12 g/dl [2].
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