Anaemia prevalence and associated factors among lactating mothers in Ethiopia: evidence from the 2005 and 2011 demographic and health surveys

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with anaemia in lactating mothers in Ethiopia.DesignA cross-sectional secondary analysis of data pooled from two rounds of the 2005 and 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) was used. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to determine the factors associated with anaemia.PopulationA total of 7332 lactating mothers (2285 from EDHS 2005 and 5047 from EDHS 2011) were included from 11 administrative states of Ethiopia.Main outcome measuresLactating mothers considered anaemic if haemoglobin level <12 g/dL.ResultsThe overall prevalence of anaemia among lactating mothers was 22.1% (95% CI 21.13% to 23.03%). The highest prevalence was 48.7% (95% CI 40.80% to 56.62%) found in the Somali region, followed by 43.8% (95% CI 31.83% to 56.87%) in the Afar region. The multivariate statistical model showed that having a husband who had attended primary education (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.79; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.91), working during the 12 months preceding the survey (AOR 0.71; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.80), having a normal maternal body mass index (18.5–24.99 kg/m2) (AOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.89), being in the middle wealth quintile (AOR 0.83; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.98) or rich wealth quintile (AOR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98), having ever used family planning (AOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.80), having attended antenatal care (ANC) for the indexed pregnancy four times or more (AOR 0.73; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91), having experienced time variation between the two surveys (AOR 0.73; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.85), and breastfeeding for 2 years (AOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.87) were factors associated with lower odds of having anaemia in lactating mothers.ConclusionsAnaemia is highly prevalent among lactating mothers, particularly in the pastoralist communities of Somali and Afar. Promoting partner education, improving maternal nutritional status, and creating behavioural change to use family planning and ANC services at health facilities are recommended interventions to reduce the prevalence of anaemia among lactating mothers in Ethiopia.

Stunting and Anemia in Infants Among Breastfeeding Mothers in Binjai City

“…The overall prevalence was 60.3%, which is similar with the reported rate (61.1%) among women of reproductive age (15-45 years old), and with 20.3% of women having severe anemia [12]. Study in Somali found that anemia among lactating mothers was 43.8% and in the Afar region was 48.7% [13]. Study in India, the prevalence of lactation anemia was 81.7% in lactation up to 3 months [14].…”

“…Predictions from several factors associated with anemia prevalence of breastfeeding mothers from the results of several studies are mother and husband's education, nutrition status or maternal body mass index (BMI), currently working, wealth index, ever use of family planning, availability of antenatal services and iron tablets, maternal BMI, duration of breastfeeding, and maternal smoking [13]- [15]. Meanwhile, the study found that anemia breastfeeding mothers were more common in the age group 20-30 years (78,8%), and with higher education (65,4%), as well as with low family income (65,4% <Rp.1,700,000,-).…”

Factors Associated with Anemia among Lactating Mothers in Subsistence Farming Households from Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South Western Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…The zone has a total population of 2.5 million from which 94% are rural inhabitants. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood in the zone where only 15% of the population is in non-farm related jobs [23]. Dedo and Seka-Chokorsa Woredas are among the 18 administrative districts in Jimma Zone where the eight HFP-CCC project Kebeles are located.…”

Postpartum moderate to severe anemia in a low-income country, Burkina Faso

“…It can be a result of pregnancy anemia that can be aggravated by blood loss during childbirth [8]. In addition, in the postpartum period, iron deficiency anemia can occur in breastfeeding mothers who are sensitive to iron depletion if energy and nutrient intake in their diet is inadequate [9]. In Burkina Faso, Sahelian country with limited resources [10], the maternal mortality ratio is still high and anemia is one of the major contributing factors [11].…”