Prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among ever-married women in Jordan

Background: Anaemia is associated with poor health outcomes and is considered a serious public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Specific subgroups are at higher risk of anaemia, such as women of reproductive age. Aims: This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among ever-married women in Jordan using a secondary analysis of the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative sample of ever-married women aged 15-49 years that were tested for haemoglobin levels in the 2012 JPFHS. Anaemia was categorized according to the WHO criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate risk factors associated with anaemia. Results: The prevalence of any anaemia was 37.3%; specifically, 20% had mild anaemia (haemoglobin 1.1.0-n.9 g/dl), 16.3% had moderate anaemia (hemoglobin 8.0-10.9 g/dl) and 1% had severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 8.0 g/dl). Factors that were associated with anaemia in the multivariate regression included urban women (P = 0.01), living in the north (P = 0.014) or south regions (P = 0.013) of Jordan, having multiple children (P < 0.001), being pregnant (P < 0.01), and using IUD as a contraceptive method (P < 0.001). Conclusions: A high prevalence of anaemia among ever-married women of reproductive age in Jordan was noticed. The results emphasize the importance of urgent public health interventions to prevent anaemia in Jordan, particularly among high-risk subgroups.