Anaemia among adolescent girls in three districts in Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence is characterized by rapid growth and development with a significantly increased need for macro and micronutrients. However, there is little empirical evidence on the burden of anaemia among adolescent girls in developing countries such as Ethiopia. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the magnitude of anaemia with an aim to guide design of intervention modalities to address anaemia among adolescent girls.MethodsThe study employed a community based cross sectional design. The study was conducted on weekends to capture both in school and out of school adolescent girls. Data was collected from a total 1323 adolescent girls. From each district, we randomly selected villages and ensured that the sampled households had a range geographical spread (lowlands, highlands) within the larger category of rural and urban. We performed anaemia testing using HemoCue B-Haemoglobin analyser. We applied a complex survey data analysis method to estimate the level of anaemia. The hemoglobin level was adjusted for altitude and smoking status. We ran a logistic regression model to evaluate predictors of anaemia.ResultsThe overall anaemia prevalence ranged from 24 to 38%, with an average rate of 29%. Less than half of the girls heard the term anaemia, and about one third knew the relationship between anaemia and the intake of iron rich foods. The risk of anaemia is higher among adolescent girls in their early adolescence period (10–14 years) (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR); 1.98; 95% CI; 1.03, 3.82] and among adolescent girls who lived in moderately food insecure households (AOR 1.48; 95% CI; 1.05–2.09). However, knowing the term “anaemia” was found to be protective against the risk of anaemia.ConclusionsThe risk of anaemia was particularly high among adolescent girls in their early age and among those living in food insecure households. The prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls is a moderate public health problem. According to the WHO set criteria, the districts could be candidates for intermittent iron and Folic acid supplementation program.

Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Secondary School Adolescent Girls in Jimma Town, Oromia Regional State, Southwest Ethiopia

“…This finding is in line with that reported in Kenya (26.5%) [ 15 ], the local study reported from Filtu town Somali region (23.66%) [ 11 ], consistent somehow in Berhale district afar region (22.8%) [ 13 ], Dembia, northwest Ethiopia (25.5%) [ 22 ], from research done in three districts of Ethiopia, namely, Debrelibanose, Laygayint, and Damotegale, an average prevalence of anemia was 29% [ 23 ].…”

The impact of nutrition education on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding iron deficiency anemia among female adolescent students in Jordan

“…Although more than half the participants exhibited adequate overall knowledge about IDA, many possessed inadequate knowledge about related issues, such as prior knowledge of anemia, its consequence, or the food that increases iron absorption. Previous studies in India (Singh et al, 2019) and Ethiopia (Gebreyesus et al, 2019) reported similar results. This study's results highlighted the need to extensively educate adolescents about IDA, which further indicates how inadequate the current educational resources in schools and homes are.…”

“…In Ethiopia, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1323 girls aged 10-19 years. Self-reports showed that less than half the sample knew about anemia, and approximately one-third knew about the link between iron-rich food intake and anemia (Gebreyesus et al, 2019).…”

Prevalence and determinants of anemia among young (15–24 years) women in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data

“…Anemia burden among young women is also common in sub-Saharan African countries which ranges from 13.7% in Ethiopia to 61.5% in Ghana [ 5 ]. Ethiopia also shares the high burden of anemia in young women which ranges from 24% to 38%, with an average rate of 29%[ 7 ]. Anemia in young women is a serious condition which impedes them from reaching their full potential by reducing educational achievement, labor productivity as well as their cognitive capacity and affect their mental health [ 1 , 8 ].…”