Social and demographic factors associated with anemia in pregnant women in Peru

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Anemia in pregnancy persists as a public health problem and varies according to specific characteristics in each population. The purpose was to determine the social and demographic factors associated with anemia in pregnant women in Peru. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study of the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES). The study included data on pregnant women. The social and demographic characteristics associated with anemia were analyzed using bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis, processed in the R statistical software. Result: Data from 1 090 women were analyzed; 28.3% had anemia. Bivariate analysis showed an association between anemia and geographical region, educational level, age and health insurance (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, anemia was associated with the educational level of primary (OR=1,96; IC: 1,18-3,28), secondary (OR=2,0; IC95%: 1,42-2,82), age from 15 to 18 years (OR=2,35; IC95%: 1,33-4,14), age over 35 years (OR=1,51; IC95%: 1,06-2,16), not having health insurance (OR=1,82; IC95%: 1,19-2,79). Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in pregnant women was 28.3%. The social and demographic factors associated with anemia in pregnant women were age 15-18, late age to 35, low educational level and lack of health insurance; regardless of geographical region, wealth quintile and place of residence. More studies are needed to analyze the results according to temporality in the population, independently of other associated factors.