Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: a Multilevel Analysis

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a significant global public health problem that particularly affects pregnant women.
According to the World Health Organization, 40% of pregnant women are anemic worldwide. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and identifying determinants of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
Methods: Ethiopian demography and health survey of 2016 data were used for the analysis. A total of 1,122
pregnant women were included in the analysis. A multi-level proportional odds model was used to identify the determinant factors of anemia among pregnant women.
Result: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 41.35%. The random effect model
revealed that 89.06% of the variability of anemia among pregnant women explained by individual and community level factors. The multilevel proportional odds model revealed that level of education, consumption of iron folate tablets, income and birth interval were significantly associated with lower prevalence of anemia. However, number of living children, latrine facilities and region of residency were associated with the higher prevalence of anemia. Pregnant women living in Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, SNNPR and Dire Dawa regions had higher prevalence of anemia.
Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia was high. Anemia prevention strategies need to be targeted on women with low educational level, low economic status, areas with poor latrine facilities, larger number of living children’s women and short birth spacing women.