Postpartum moderate to severe anemia in a low-income country, Burkina Faso

Abstract Background In Burkina Faso, Sahelian country with limited resources, the maternal mortality ratio is still high and anemia is one of the major contributing factors. To identify epidemiological aspects of postpartum anemia in order to better guide public policy in its prevention and management.Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from the 2010 Demographic and Health Survey in Burkina Faso. The classification of anemia in women according to the World Health Organization was considered. For the research of associated factors, moderate or severe anemia was considered.Results A total of 1616 women were included. Hemoglobin levels were less than 12 g/dl in 839 women (51.9%). It was less than 10 g/dl in 251 cases (15.5%). There has been a significant increase in the risk of postpartum anemia for women in the Sahel region (OR=2.9; IC [1.2-7.4]; p=0.024). The adjusted effect of the woman's status about postpartum amenorrhea also showed an increased risk in women still having no return from menstruation.Conclusion Anemia is common during postpartum. It is of multifactorial origin. Further studies are needed to better adapt its current prevention strategies and investigate the relationship between Sahel region and anemia.