Trends and Patterns of Anemia Among Women of Reproductive Age in Ethiopia: Uncovering its Determinants and Implications for Health Promotion

Abstract Background. Anemia burden is a global public health challenge. It is common among women of reproductive age. Anemia has far-reaching consequences for women of reproductive age and their children for generations unless its risk factors are identified, and appropriate interventions are implemented. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the trends and patterns of anemia in Ethiopia over 12 years, evaluate its trends and patterns against global nutrition targets, determine its determinants among women of reproductive age, and discuss its health implications. Materials and Methods. Three rounds of comprehensive and nationally representative data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey collected in 2005, 2011, and 2016 were used in this study. Descriptive and ordinal logistic regression were employed to analyze the data. Results. Household wealth index, education level of women and their partners, body mass index, number of children ever born, and age were significantly associated with anemia. Although anemia among the WRA decreased from 2005 to 2011, it increased from 2011 to 2016. The Somali and Afar regions had the highest burden of anemia among women of reproductive age in the three cycles of the survey. Conclusions. The prevalence of anemia is moderate in Ethiopia, but its trend seems to increase, and its distribution widely differs from region to region. Unless strong interventions tailored to the most affected women of reproductive age are implemented, Ethiopia may not attain the goal of reducing anemia by 50% by 2025.