ABSTRACT
Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is one of the most common causes of nutritional problem; and is of great public health significance affecting children; adolescents and women of reproductive age world wide. The magnitude of IDA in the general population of Ethiopia has not yet been well documented. Objective: To estimate the magnitude of IDA among women of reproductive age in nine administrative regions. Methods: A cross-sectional study of analytical nature was conducted in 270 clustered villages drawn from 9 administrative regions of the country between June and July 2005. A total of 22;861 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were examined clinically for pallor and 5of these subjects were systematically selected and assessed further for their haemoglobin (Hgb) and serum ferritin (SF) status. Results: The prevalence rate of clinical anaemia; anaemia; ID (iron deficiency) and IDA were 11.3; 30.4; 49.7and 17.0respectively. The majority of anaemic women were in the category of mild (19.3) to moderate (10.3) and severe anaemia was 0.9. A significantly higher proportion of clinical anaemia [26.7(95CI: 24 to 28)]; anaemia (Hgb) [79.4(95CI: 72 to 86)]; ID [65.1(95CI: 72 to 86)] and IDA [58.0(95CI: 55 to 76)] was observed in Afar signifying distinct regional variation. The most affected age groups were those between 36-49 years and the difference noted was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study substantiates the existence of mild to moderate form of IDA among women of reproductive age and underlines the need for iron supplementation to all reproductive women during the antenatal period with more attention to the most affected regions