<p>Prevalence of Anemia and Its Associated Factors Among Female Adolescents in Ambo Town, West Shewa, Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Objective This study assessed the prevalence of anemia among female adolescents and factors associated with it in Ambo town, West Shewa, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 523 randomly selected female adolescents living in Ambo town, Ethiopia from August 5–29, 2018. Data were collected through structured interview using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were done and the hemoglobin value was measured on the field and adjusted for the altitude. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictors of anemia. Level of statistical significance was declared at P <0.05. Results In this study, 39% (95% CI= 34.8–43%) participants were anemic, of which 63 (30.9%) and 46 (22.5%) female adolescents were stunted and wasted, respectively. Anemia was considerably high among female adolescents with high dietary diversity score. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write (AOR= 3.27; 95% CI=1.79–5.97), who always take tea and/or coffee within 30 minutes after meal (AOR= 6.19; 95% CI=3.32–11.48), who were wasted (AOR=1.67; 95% CI=1.11–2.52), and who had already attained their menses (AOR=1.93; 95% CI=1.19–3.13) were more likely to be anemic compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Nearly four in ten female adolescents in the study setting were anemic. Anemia among female adolescents was a moderate public health problem. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write, who consumed tea/coffee within 30 minutes after a meal, who were wasted, and who had already attained menses should be prioritized for interventions aiming at addressing iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents.

Multilevel analysis of determinants of anemia among young women (15-24) in sub-Sahara Africa

“…The finding of this study indicated that anemia is a major public health problem among young women according to the WHO classification of anemia for public health significance. Anemia prevalence among young women was higher than the studies conducted in Ethiopia, East Africa, Rwanda, Nepal and Chinese [ 12 , 25 , 27 – 33 ]. Meanwhile, the pooled prevalence of anemia in this study was lower than the prevalence reported in Ghana [ 34 ], Cameron [ 34 ], Congo democratic republic [ 34 ], Burkina Faso [ 34 ] and Asia [ 22 ].…”

“…It also results in stunted child development, impaired learning and decreased work efficiency [ 10 , 11 ]. Anemia harms the health of women in reproductive age and pregnant women, under-five and preschool children, adolescents and young women [ 6 , 9 , 12 – 15 ]. Besides, the increased burden of anemia among adolescent and young women is associated with a period of rapid physical growth, reproductive maturation and cognitive transformations, which leads to higher demands for macro and micronutrients [ 16 ].…”

“…Because of these negative effects, the WHO divides anemia level as it is not a public health problem (prevalence≤4.9%), mild public health concern (5 to 19.9%), moderate public health concern (20.0 to 39.9%) and extreme public health concern (prevalence ≥40.0%) depending on its impact on the community [ 7 , 11 19 , 20 ]. Different studies have identified that the age of the respondent, marital status, educational level, nutritional status, wealth status, source of drinking water and type of toilet facility were the factors that significantly associated with anemia among young women [ 12 , 21 – 25 ]. Despite the implementation of control programmers including iron supplementation, deworming and insecticide-treated bed net distribution, anemia remains a major concern among young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [ 11 ] and with the current trends of anemia, it is difficult to achieve sustainable development goals of anemia (reduction of anemia of reproductive age woman by 50%) by 2030.…”

Associations of early marriage and early childbearing with anemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of nationwide survey

“…Our finding is comparable to previous studies conducted in Southern and Northwest Ethiopia [ 22 , 23 ]. However, the prevalence is comparatively lower than studies done in different parts of Ethiopia such as Ambo Town, West Shewa which reported a prevalence as high as 39% [ 24 ]; 29% prevalence among school adolescents from Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia [ 25 ] and 27% from southwest rural Ethiopia [ 26 ]. The potential reason for this discrepancy could be the target population, geographical area and sample size variations.…”

Prevalence of anaemia among school going adolescent girls attending Test, Treat and Talk (T-3) camp under Anaemia Mukt Bharat in Delhi

“…[ 4 ] in North West Ethiopia, Tura MR et al . [ 25 ] in West Shewa, Ethiopia and Fentie K et al . [ 26 ] in Southwest Ethiopia.…”