Study of Factors Associated with Anemia among Women in Reproductive Age in Kolda (Senegal)

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia in women of reproductive age is a common health problem in the region of Kolda (Senegal). The objective of this research was to study the risk factors of anemia among women in reproductive age in Kolda (Senegal). Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of women in reproductive age and their households was conducted in the Kolda region between October and December 2015. This was a three-stage random sample survey. The data was collected during an individual interview. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors of this anemia. Results: In this study, 968 women of reproductive age were surveyed. The average age of women was 27 years with a standard deviation of 7.4 years. There were 10% of pregnant women, 36.3% of lactating women and 53.7% of women neither pregnant nor lactating. The average size of the households surveyed was 14 people and the 36.3% had an average economic level. The majority of households were equipped with traditional latrines (76.9%). Women were neither pregnant nor lactating in 53.7%, were uneducated in 70.7% and 81% used micronutrient-rich foods. The prevalence of anemic women was 55.2%. The factors associated with anemia in women in Kolda were the use of traditional latrines (ORa = 1.48 [1.0 - 2.1]), the woman’s pregnancy status (ORa = 5 [2.7 - 9.8]), non-education of the woman (ORa = 1.52 [1.1 - 2.0]), the existence of income-generating activity for the woman (ORa = 0.69 [0.5 - 0.9]), the processing of local products in the household (ORa = 0.5 [0.3 - 0.9]) and the use of at least one micronutrient rich food in the household (ORa = 0.73 [0.49 - 1.0]). Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among women in reproductive age is still high in the Kolda region. To combat this phenomenon, awareness campaigns on iron and folic acid supplementation should be stepped up, the use of modern latrines should be promoted and the empowerment of women should be strengthened.