Factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in Rwanda: An analysis of the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey of 2020

Abstract Background: Anemia in pregnancy is associated with several adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns, as well as their families. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of anaemia and the associated factors among pregnant women in Rwanda. Methods: Secondary data were from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS). Multistage stratified sampling was used to select 435 pregnant women included in the study. Anaemia among pregnant women was considered as a haemoglobin value <11 g/dL. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors with anaemia in pregnancy, using SPSS (version 25). Results: Of the 435 pregnant women, 24.6%, (95%CI: 21.1-29.3) were anaemic. Not working (AOR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.08-3.33), being unmarried (AOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.24-3.57), low wealth index (AOR=2.94, 95%CI: 1.19-7.30), second pregnancy trimester (AOR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.16-4.00), having big problems with distance to a nearby health facility (AOR= 2.34, 95%CI: 1.21-4.54), and normal body mass index (AOR=3.02, 95%CI: 1.63-5.60) were associated with higher odds of being anaemic. Having no health insurance (AOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.06-0.91), being from the southern region (AOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.08-0.68), and low husband/partner's education (AOR=0.24,95%CI: 0.06-0.97) were, however, associated with lower odds of being anaemic. Conclusions: Study findings indicate a high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy, which was associated with several socio-demographics. There is a need for setting up mobile clinics and health facilities in hard-to-reach areas for easy accessibility to early anaemia screening services. Conducting mass screening for anaemia targeting pregnant women who are not working, the unmarried, those with a low wealth index, and those in their second pregnancy trimester would also be beneficial.