Prevalence of Anemia and Its Associated Factors Among Female Adolescents in Ambo Town, West Shewa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective

This study assessed the prevalence of anemia among female adolescents and factors associated with it in Ambo town, West Shewa, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 523 randomly selected female adolescents living in Ambo town, Ethiopia from August 5–29, 2018. Data were collected through structured interview using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were done and the hemoglobin value was measured on the field and adjusted for the altitude. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictors of anemia. Level of statistical significance was declared at P<0.05.

Results

In this study, 39% (95% CI= 34.8–43%) participants were anemic, of which 63 (30.9%) and 46 (22.5%) female adolescents were stunted and wasted, respectively. Anemia was considerably high among female adolescents with high dietary diversity score. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write (AOR= 3.27; 95% CI=1.79–5.97), who always take tea and/or coffee within 30 minutes after meal (AOR= 6.19; 95% CI=3.32–11.48), who were wasted (AOR=1.67; 95% CI=1.11–2.52), and who had already attained their menses (AOR=1.93; 95% CI=1.19–3.13) were more likely to be anemic compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion

Nearly four in ten female adolescents in the study setting were anemic. Anemia among female adolescents was a moderate public health problem. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write, who consumed tea/coffee within 30 minutes after a meal, who were wasted, and who had already attained menses should be prioritized for interventions aiming at addressing iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents.

Keywords:

• anemia
• female adolescents
• West Shewa
• Ambo
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

Our appreciation goes to Ambo town health office, health extension workers, and selected kebele administrators for facilitating the process of data collection. We are also thankful to the study participants, data collectors, and supervisors.

Data Sharing Statement

The data sets used and/or analyzed for this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

An ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Health Research Ethics Review Committee (IHRERC) of Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences (Ref. No. IHRERC/197/2018). An official letter of support was sent to Ambo town health office and to other concerned bodies. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed Consent

For females aged 10–17 years, their parents/guardians gave their informed, voluntary, written, and signed consent allowing their daughter to be part of the study, and for those ≥18 years old, the female adolescents themselves signed written, informed, voluntary consent forms. Confidentiality of the collected data was ensured through anonymity. In addition, they were informed that they had the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no funding or financial supports for this study.