Anaemia in pregnant, postpartum and non pregnant women in Lak district, Daklak province of Vietnam

Objectives: To determine anaemia prevalence and related factors in pregnant women (PW), post partum women (PPW) and non pregnant women (NPW) in a remote mountainous district. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2001. All PW, all PPW within 6 months of delivery and a random number of NPW equivalents to the number of PW in each commune were selected. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured using Hemocue method. Mild anaemia was defined as Hb<7g/dL-11 g/dL in PW, and 8g/dL-12g/dL in NPW and PPW. Severe anaemia was defined as Hb<7g/dL in PW, and <8g/dL in NPW and PPW. Pregnancy status was determined using urine pregnancy test and calculation of expected menstruum. Results: There were 901 women surveyed: 281 PW, 348 PPW and 272 NPW. More than half (58%) were anaemic: 54% mild and 4% severe. Mean Hb was 11.1g/dL. More PPW had anaemia (62%; OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.1-2.1 compared to NPW) than NPW (54%) and PW (53%). Other related factors were being BoY, Ede and Koho ethnics (OR=2.7; 95%CI=1.4-5.0 compared to Kinh ethnic), having primary education or lower (OR=1.5; 95%CI=1.1-2.1 compared to secondary education or higher). Among PW, being pregnant during the third trimester increased anaemia (OR=2.2; 95%CI=1.3-3.8 compared to being pregnant during the second trimester). Among PPW, women aged 30 or older were more anaemic (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.1-2.9 compared to women aged 20-29). Conclusion: Anaemia prevalence was very high. Interventions should be focused on PPW, PW during the last trimester, minority ethnic women, low-educated and older women.