Anemia and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in eastern Africa: A multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear model

Abstract

Background Anemia in women of reproductive age is a major public health challenge for low-and middle-income countries with a long-term negative impact on the health of women, their children, and the economic growth of the society. Even though the world health organization targeted a 50% global reduction of anemia among women of reproductive age by 2025, with the current trend it is unlikely to achieve this goal. Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among women of reproductive age in eastern Africa. Methods A secondary data analysis, using demographic and health survey (DHS) data of 10 eastern African countries, was conducted. For our study, a total weighted sample of 101524 women of reproductive age was used. We employed a multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear model (using Poisson regression with robust error variance). Both unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios with their 95% confidence interval were reported. Results The prevalence of anemia in eastern Africa was 34.85 (95%CI: 34.56-35.14) ranging from 19.23% in Rwanda to 53.98% in Mozambique. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, being older age, having primary and above education, being from households with second to highest wealth quantiles, being currently working, not perceiving distance as a big problem, use of modern contraceptive methods, and rural residence was associated with a lower

Prevalence and determinants of anemia among pregnant women in East Africa; A multi-level analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys

“…Since in recent times there is a need to integrate East Africa in the health aspect to realize universal health coverage as part of sustainable development goals [ 41 ], the findings in the current study could have positive implications in this regard. Besides, the benefit of this study from the one conducted on reproductive-age women [ 42 ] in this region is, it focuses on anemia burden among pregnant women. Since pregnancy is a highly oxygen-demanding period due to physiologic changes [ 3 ], the effect of anemia on pregnant women is superior to other reproductive-age women.…”

Utilization of Deworming Drugs and Its Individual and Community Level Predictors among Pregnant Married Women in Cameroon: A Multilevel Modeling

“…Due to the intensity of anemia in pregnancy, they become more worsened if they acquire additional infestation of helminths, especially by hookworms as they are less resistant to infection [8,9]. Anemia has several effects on pregnant women including increased susceptibility to infection, stillbirth/miscarriage [10,11], and poor feto-maternal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant or child mortality [11][12][13]. In pregnancy, infections are the major causes of anemia, which can be prevented by taking deworming medication, sleeping in bed net and taking intermittent preventive malaria treatment [14].…”

Anemia Prevalence and Anthropometric Status of Indigenous Women and Young Children in Rural Botswana: The San People

“…In 2011, anemia prevalence in Southern Africa (where Botswana is located) was estimated at 46% among children <5 years and 28% and 31% in non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectively [ 1 ]. Although the WHO attributes over 50% of anemia cases to iron deficiency due to poor dietary intakes [ 2 ], the literature indicates that infections, genetic disorders, and other micronutrient deficiencies in the region also play a significant role [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ].…”