Anaemia Prevalence and Risk Factors in Non-Pregnant Women (NPW) aged 15 to 49 Years: Findings from NHMS 2015.

Abstract

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is still a public health problem in developing countries, including Malaysia. However, Non-Pregnant Women (NPW) also are at a high risk of anaemia, which may contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to determine anaemia prevalence and related risk factors among NPW in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 was analysed. Data were analysed among NPW aged 15 to 49 years old to meet the objective of this study. Socio-demographic, Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) status, dietary practice, physical activity data were collected using validated questionnaires while haemoglobin (Hb) level was measured using Hema cue© point-of-care testing. Hb level below 12 g/dl was considered anaemia for NPW, while pregnant women were subjected to a cut-off point of below 11 g/dl. Body Mass Index (BMI) was determined by measuring the body weight and body height of respondents. Complex sample multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association among the variables of interest. Result: The severity of anaemia was classified according to the Hb concentration recommended by WHO, as to non-pregnant women, 110 g/L ≤ Hb < 120 g/L mild anaemia; 80 g/L ≤ Hb < 120 g/L, moderate anaemia; Hb < 80 g/L, severe anaemia. There were 6,503 NPW surveyed and 2,296 respondents (34.6%) were anaemic: 54.7% mild, 40.8% moderate and 4.5% severe. Anaemia in the NPW population was observed to be associated with age of 40-49 years (aOR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.26-2.02), residing in the Southern (aOR=1.56; 95% CI: 1.22-2.00), Northern (aOR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.09-1.82) and Central (aOR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.26- 2.02) regions, Indian (aOR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.31-2.29) and others ethnicity (aOR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.39-0.78), government/semi-government employee (aOR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.13-1.90), Low BMI (<18.5kg/m2) (aOR=1.52; 95% CI: 1.08-2.15) and normal BMI (18.5–24.9kg/m2) (aOR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.46-2.24) and hypertension (aOR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.20-1.77).