ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG LACTATING WOMEN VISITING HEALTH CENTERS IN ODO SHAKISSO DISTRICT, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Anemia is the second cause of disability and most serious public health problems worldwide. Although the problem of anemia during pregnancy has been adequately addressed, very little is known about postpartum anemia in low income countries. Objective: the aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among lactating women Visiting Health Centers in Odo Shakisso district, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was used among randomly selected 509 lactating women who gave birth in the last 6 months prior to the study. Socio-demographic and economic data were collected using a pre tested structured questionnaire and blood samples were collected to determine concentrations of hemoglobin on site using a battery-operated portable Hemo Cue analyzer for all blood samples. Hemoglobin level was measured in g/dl, operational zed as a categorical variable by predefined cut-off points for mild, moderate and severe anemia recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for women of reproductive age group. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data using numerical summery measures.Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. Odds ratio along with 95%CI were estimated to measure the strength of the association between study variables of interest. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value <0.05. Results: The overall Prevalence of anemia in this study was [(30.2%; (95%CI =26.3-34.2)], mild anemia was [22.5% ; (95%CI =18.6-26.3)],moderate [5.7%; (95%Cl3.8-7.7)] and severe anemia [2%; (95%Cl 0.8-3.2)] respectively. Primary level of maternal education [AOR=2.6, 95% CI (1.6.03-6.340)], paternal lack of formal education [AOR=2.7; (95%CI=1.184-6.198)], presence of ascaris[AOR=5.28, 95% CI (1.811-15.431)] and hook worm[AOR=5.383, 95% CI (1.051-27.567)], women’s multi parity [AOR=2.5, 95% CI (1.445-4.305)] and Women did not supplemented with iron during pregnancy [AOR=2.895%CI(1.648-4.653)]were significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion: The magnitude of anemia among lactating women was high. Maternal and paternal level of education, parasitosis, multiparity and no iron supplementation during pregnancy were significantly xiii associated with postpartum anemia. Thus, relevant stakeholders should pay attention to strategies that target on the control of parasitic infection and postpartum birth spacing to prevent postnatal anemia