Predictors of Anemia Among Non Pregnant Married Women in a Peri-urban Coastal Slum of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract BackgroundUnder-nutrition is a global public health threat, to which pregnant and lactating mothers are particularly susceptible. An estimated 468.4 million women (17%) of child bearing age have anemia, and this figure is as high as 50% of women of childbearing age in developing countries. Factors like substance abuse, nutritional habits, hygiene, reproductive health status and socio-cultural factors are associated with high prevalence of anemia among women. The aim of the study was to determine prevalence of anemia i.e. hemoglobin concentration of less than 12 gm/dl among non-pregnant married women of reproductive age (MWRA) and potential risk factors of anemia among these MWRA with a special focus on coastal slum.Methods A analytical cross sectional study conducted at a coastal slum of Karachi, Rehri Goth. We interviewed N-554 non pregnant MWRA and their blood samples were assessed for anemia. Cox proportional hazard algorithm was used for determining the association of potential covariates with anemia for the analysis purpose. ResultsThe prevalence of anemia among the non pregnant MWRA was 68.04% (95%CI: 64.15%, 71.92%). Prevalence ratio of anemia among gutka consumers was 1.37 times (95%CI: 1.12 - 1.68) higher than those who were not consuming it. Moreover, the prevalence ratio of anemia was 1.42 times higher in women who had not received formal education as compared to those who had received at least a primary education.(95% CI:1.13-1.81) Conclusion A high proportion of non pregnant MWRA of Rehri Goth were anemic. Women who were not literate were more likely to be anemic and were more likely to consume Gutka as a recreational substance.