Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia Among Women of Reproductive Age in a Ghanaian University

Abstract

Background Anaemia is a clinical condition that results in the reduction of haemoglobin levels in the body and affects 33% of women of reproductive age worldwide (about 613 million women between 15 and 49 years of age). In Ghana, the occurrence of anaemia is reported to be 66% in children between the ages of 6 and 59 months, and 42% among women of reproductive age. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among women of reproductive age at a Ghanaian University.Method Two hundred and six non-pregnant women, aged 15–40years, randomly selected from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, participated in this cross-sectional study. Selected socio-demographics, anthropometrics and information on monthly blood flow (menstruation), awareness of anaemia, and dietary diversity scores were collected. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, oxygen saturation levels and malaria infection status were determined. The relationship between these independent variables and the anaemia status of the study participants was assessed using bivariate analysis.Results The overall anaemia prevalence was 67.5%, and the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 35.4%, 26.7% and 5.3%, respectively. The participants' dietary diversity score was 56.8% and more than half (57.8%) had normal body mass index (18- 24.9 kg/m2). There was no significant association between body mass index (p = 0.430), dietary diversity score (p = 0.711), oxygen saturation level (p = 0.761) and anemia. However, monthly blood loss significantly contributed to anaemia (p = 0.047).Conclusion This study has highlighted the high prevalence of anaemia among reproductive-age women. Body mass index, dietary diversity score and oxygen saturation level were not potential risk factors associated with anaemia. However, monthly blood loss was associated with anaemia. Due to the adverse consequences of anaemia on the health of reproductive women, proper interventions such as regular supplementations of the diet with iron and folate can be included to replenish the blood loss.