Prevalence of anemia and associated factors among ‘‘apparently healthy’’ urban and rural residents in Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center, Jimma

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is the common form of micronutrient deficiency, globally affecting more than 2 billion people. In Ethiopia, anemia affects 17% of women and 11% of men aged 15 to 49 years. Different studies indicated prevalence of anemia varied in all age group in rural and urban areas.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and associated factors of anemia among ‘‘apparently healthy’’ urban and rural residents of Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center.
Methods and Materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data of Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center. For the main study, a total of 5500 individuals were taken as a study population using the WHO-STEP wise surveillance manual to estimate prevalence and risk factors of chronic non communicable diseases. Data of 1602 (1258 rural and 344 urban) apparently healthy adults who had information on hemoglobin level were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 and separate logistic regression models. Statistical significant was set at P-value < 0.05 with 95 % CI.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 40.9%. Anemia was higher among rural residents (46.6%) than urban residents (20.1%). In urban residents, being male [AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: (1.03, 4.50)], and illiterate [AOR = 5.76, 95% (CI: 1.27, 26.07)] were significantly associated with anemia. In rural residents, being female [AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: (1.27, 2.52)], presence of heart disease [AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: (1.09, 6.33)], central obesity [AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: (1.31, 2.57)], and being illiterate [AOR = 3.62, 95% CI: (1.57, 8.35)], and having only a primary school education [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: (1.08, 6.73)] were significantly associated with anemia.
Conclusions: The overall prevalence of anemia was a severe public health problem according to WHO. There is marked urban - rural variation in anemia prevalence, indicating the need for targeting specific areas for intervention. Strengthening strategies aimed at educational empowerment, nutrition education and nutrition service will have a contribution in combating anemia especially in the rural kebeles of the study area.