Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age: An Overview of Global Burden, Trends, Determinants, and Drivers of Progress in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Relatively little progress has been made in reducing anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA anemia). Interventions, policies and programs aimed at reducing WRA anemia have the potential to improve overall not only women’s, but also children’s health and nutrition outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aimed to compile evidence on the determinants and drivers of WRA anemia reduction in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We synthesized the available evidence on the determinants and drivers, including government policies and programs, of WRA anemia and their mitigation strategies across a wide range of countries and geographies, thus contributing to the complex and multifactorial etiology of anemia. We carried out a systematic review of published peer-reviewed and grey literature assessing national or subnational decline in WRA anemia prevalence and the associated drivers in LMICs. Among the 21 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, proximal determinants of healthcare utilization, especially during pregnancy and with the use of contraceptives, were strong drivers of WRA anemia reduction. Changes in other maternal characteristics, such as an increase in age at first pregnancy, BMI, birth spacing, and reduction in parity, were associated with modest improvements in anemia prevalence. Access to fortified foods, especially iron-fortified flour, was also a predictor of a decrease in WRA anemia. Of the intermediate determinants, an increase in household wealth, educational attainment and access to improved sanitation contributed significantly to WRA anemia reduction. Although several common determinants emerged at the proximal and intermediate levels, the set of anemia determinants and the strength of the association between each driver and WRA anemia reduction were unique in each setting included in this review. Further research is needed to provide targeted recommendations for each country and region where WRA anemia prevalence remains high.

National, regional, and global estimates of anaemia by severity in women and children for 2000–19: a pooled analysis of population-representative data

“…Anaemia can be caused by nutrition-specific factors (eg, due to insufficient intake or poor absorption of micronutrients), non-nutritional factors, or a combination of these; each of these factors has social determinants. 1 , 2 , 20 Non-nutritional causes of anaemia include zoonotic diseases, such as malaria, helminth infection, or schistosomiasis; chronic inflammatory disorders; or genetic haemoglobin disorders. Of nutritional factors, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia.…”

Factors associated with early pregnancy anemia in rural Sri Lanka: Does being ‘under care’ iron out socioeconomic disparities?

“…Global progress in reducing anemia prevalence among pregnant women has been plodding [ 13 ]. Why a significant proportion of pregnant women would remain vulnerable to anemia despite multiple interventions at different stages of the lifecycle is a question that needs answers.…”

Targeted and Population-Wide Interventions Are Needed to Address the Persistent Burden of Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania

“…Women of older age were also fragile to anemia, which might be a consequence of frequent birth and nutritional challenges among the ageing populations owing to access to adequate iron supplies in the food they consume. Interventions should be made to avoid short birth-to-pregnancy intervals and address nutrition indicators for the ageing female population [ 34 ]. The health sector should provide health education on birth spacing and promote the use of contraception.…”