Anaemia in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: progress towards the 2025 global nutrition target

Md Mehedi Hasan; Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes; Sarah P. Garnett; Yaqoot Fatima; Md Tariqujjaman; Sonia Pervin; Saifuddin Ahmed; Abdullah A. Mamun

doi:10.2471/BLT.20.280180

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Anaemia in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: progress towards the 2025 global nutrition target

Journal article

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Anaemia in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: progress towards the 2025 global nutrition target

Md Mehedi Hasan, Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes, Sarah P. Garnett, Yaqoot Fatima, Md Tariqujjaman, Sonia Pervin, Saifuddin Ahmed and Abdullah A. Mamun

World Health Organization. Bulletin, Vol.100(3), pp.196-204

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.280180

PMCID: 8886255

PMID: 35261408

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Abstract

Objective: To examine trends in, and projections of, the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age in low-and middle-income countries at national and subpopulation levels. Methods: We used nationally representative data from repeated cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) on 1 092 512 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from 15 low-and middle-income countries. We defined anaemia as haemoglobin < 11 g/dL for pregnant women and 12 g/dL for non-pregnant women. We analysed data using Bayesian linear regression analyses. Findings: During 2000-2018, the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age decreased in nine countries, with the highest decrease in Malawi (-2.5%), and increased in six countries, with the highest increase in Burundi (10.9%). All countries are projected to have a prevalence of anaemia _ 15% in 2025, with the highest level in Burundi (66.8%). The prevalence of anaemia and projection of prevalence varied between and within countries. Women's education, family wealth and place of residence had the highest impact on the current and projected prevalence rates of anaemia. Seven countries had a prevalence of anaemia >_ 40%, which we defined as a severe public health problem, in the earliest and latest DHS and this prevalence is projected to persist in 2025. Conclusion: None of the 15 countries is likely to meet the global nutrition target of a 50% reduction in the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age by 2025. Global and country leaders should reconsider nutrition policies and reallocate resources targeting countries and communities at risk.

Details

Title: Anaemia in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: progress towards the 2025 global nutrition target
Authors: Md Mehedi Hasan (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland
Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes - The University of Queensland
Sarah P. Garnett - The University of Sydney
Yaqoot Fatima - The University of Queensland
Md Tariqujjaman - International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research
Sonia Pervin - The University of Queensland
Saifuddin Ahmed - Johns Hopkins University
Abdullah A. Mamun - The University of Queensland
Publication details: World Health Organization. Bulletin, Vol.100(3), pp.196-204
Publisher: World Health Organization, Organisation Mondiale de la Sante
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.20.280180
ISSN: 1564-0604
PMID: 35261408; 8886255
Grants: ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, CE200100025, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, RTP, Department of Education (Australia, Canberra)
Organisation Unit: Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991212781302621
Output Type: Journal article

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