Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors in Childbearing Age Women in Shaafi Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a disorder marked by reduced hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and/or the quantity of red blood cells (RBCs). Anemia affects people throughout the world. A shortage of knowledge exists in Somalia due to insufficient research projects. This study examined the prevalence of anemia and its contributing factors in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Methods: A cross-sectional design with a quantitative strategy was used for the investigation. Secondary data were collected from patient records at the Shaafi Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, who were clinically diagnosed with anemia between December 2021 and August 2022.

Results: Of the 400 samples collected, 271 (67.8%) women were anemic. Employment, malaria infection, birth interval, number of children, pregnancy status, and menstrual frequency all showed statistically significant associations with anemia. In contrast, age, educational level, marital status, eating habits, sleeping schedules, chronic disease, intestinal parasite, history of blood disorders, and menstrual duration showed no statistically significant associations with anemia.

Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of anemia in women of childbearing age was high. The association factors were history of malaria birth interval, number of children, pregnancy status, and menstruation. To avoid anemia among pregnant women in the research region, contraceptive methods, information about spacing children, information and services to prevent malaria, and economic empowerment of women are required.