Full Citation

Title: Anaemia in relation to age and socioeconomic characteristics in Nigerian women: a secondary data analysis

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2023

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI:

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: Anaemia is a concerning global public health issue and it has a higher prevalence in developing countries, where it usually relates to the population’s socioeconomic status. African and South-East Asian countries are the most affected. In Nigeria, anaemia has a high prevalence among women and children. Anaemia is a severe nutritional condition that affects most young children, girls and women menstruating, pregnant and postpartum women and elderly people. Inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients (e.g. iron, vitamin B12, folate), parasitic infections, inflammations, bleeding (e.g. heavy menstruation) and pregnancy problems can all cause anaemia. Left untreated anaemia can have serious health consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of anaemia, test hypotheses and assess the correlations between anaemia, age and different socioeconomic factors among pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerian women, aged 15-49. Methodology This is a quantitative correlational study. The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was used for the current research. Permission was granted from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program to download the datasets. The 2018 NDHS was a cross-sectional study which covered all of Nigeria. This provided updated national sociodemographic, socioeconomic and health indicators estimates. 4 41821 girls and women of reproductive age, 15-49, were interviewed but only 14750 girls and women were screened for anaemia. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyse the women’s dataset, trying to make predictions about the population. Because the variables were categorical, the chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation were used to check the relationship between anaemia, age and different socioeconomic characteristics such as highest educational level, literacy, employment, region, type of place of residence (urban/rural areas) and wealth index for urban/rural areas. P-values < 0.05 were interpreted as statistically significant. Results A total of 8557 women, out of 14750, were anaemic, a prevalence of 58%. A total of 5875 anaemic women could not read at all or they could read only partially and 4394 anaemic women had no education or had primary education only. The total number of anaemic women (3518 women) living in wealthy areas (richer and richest) was higher compared to the total of 3372 anaemic women from poor areas (poorest and poorer). Most women suffering from anaemia were from rural areas, comprising 5288 women. Most of the anaemic women were working, a total of 5504 women, and a total of 4909 anaemic women were living in the North regions of Nigeria. Most of the anaemic women (5850 women) were aged 15-34. Chi-square tests (p<0.05) showed statistically significant correlations between anaemia and region, type of place of residence and employment. Spearman’s correlation (p<0.05, r s <0.2) indicated that there is a statistically significant weak positive correlation between anaemia and the highest educational level, literacy and wealth index for urban/rural areas. However, there is no statistically significant correlation between anaemia and age (p>0.05). Conclusions 58% of the women tested for anaemia were anaemic and there are correlations between anaemia and different socioeconomic determinants. These findings highlight that the prevalence of anaemia in women is a concern in Nigeria and policymakers should adopt strategies to reduce it.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Frone, Adriana

Periodical (Full): Journal of Contraceptive Reproductive Medicine

Issue: 2

Volume: 9

Pages: 1-67

Data Collections: IPUMS Global Health - DHS

Topics: Population Health and Health Systems, Reproductive and Sexual Health

Countries: Nigeria