Anaemia in women of reproductive age in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
Anaemia is among the greatest health problems in reproductive age women in developing countries.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant parous women, and to investigate the main underlying cause for the anaemia.


METHODS
A sub-urban Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MCH) in Dar es Salaam.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Consecutive parous non-pregnant women who had brought their children for vaccination and/or had come for family planning to Mbagala MCH clinic were invited to participate in the study. Obstetric and social history was recorded, and their height and weight were checked. Haemoglobin was measured using HemoCue hemoglobinometer. Anaemic women were further investigated to determine the cause of anaemia by haematological and biochemical tests.


RESULTS
Five hundred and four parous non-pregnant women were screened, 49% were anaemic (Hb <12 g/dl) and 1.6% severely anaemic (Hb <7 g/dl). Anaemia was not related to socio-demographic and obstetric history characteristics, but decreased significantly with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.042). The prevalence of anaemia was significantly lower in women using hormonal contraceptives, compared to non-users (36% vs 54%) (p=0.04). Eighty-seven percent of the anaemic women were iron deficient and 8.7% had elevated serum C-reactive protein indicating undiagnosed infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutritional deficiencies in women have to be corrected before and between pregnancies and all contacts women have with the health system should be utilised for anaemia control interventions, in addition to long-term community approaches. To improve maternal health calls for a broader agenda and a change of approach in the MCH-clinics.
Massawe
S N
SN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Muhimbili College of Health Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Urassa
E N
EN
Nyström
L
L
Lindmark
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012098:Reproduction; D017584:Reproductive History; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018881:Suburban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D006454:Hemoglobins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein