Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age in Developing Countries.

ABSTRACT

Anemia is one of the major causes of maternal mortality and morbidity across the globe, affecting around two-thirds of pregnant women in developing countries. The objective of this study was to synthesise study findings regarding the prevalence and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in developing countries. A total of 28 articles were reviewed by two authors for preliminary screening after removing overlapping information. Finally, 15 studies conducted from 2000 to 2015 were included in the review. The average prevalence of anemia was found to be 46.5% with a range of 18.1% to 75% in different studies. Factors such as increased maternal age, low education, high parity, poor socio-economic status, poor nutritional status, and certain diseases have been found as important determinants of anemia. There is a need to improve the socio-economic status, literacy, diet and general health of poor women in developing countries.