Overview

Anemia is a major public health problem throughout the world. The main causes of anemia include low intake and absorption of iron from the diet, malaria, and intestinal parasites such as hookworm.  Anemia in children has been associated with impaired cognitive performance, motor development, coordination, language development, and scholastic achievement. For women, anemia reduces their work productivity and places them at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes including increased risk of maternal mortality, perinatal mortality, premature births and low birth weight.  In developing countries, nearly half of all women and children are anemic, with the highest overall rates being reported in Southern and Central Asia and certain regions of Africa.

Consumption of food rich in iron is essential to prevention of iron deficiency anemia. It is also important to avoid consuming iron absorption inhibitors such as tea and coffee during meals.  Animal-source foods such as red meat contain the highest amounts of the most easily absorbed iron.  Other foods with high iron content are green, leafy vegetables; dried beans; dried apricots, prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits; almonds; whole grains; and yams.  For vulnerable groups with high iron requirements such as young children between 6 and 24 months and pregnant women, it is difficult to meet iron needs through diet alone, even if some foods are fortified with iron.  At these points in the life cycle, it may be necessary to take iron supplements to prevent or correct iron deficiency and anemia. 

In settings with endemic or epidemic malaria, prevention and treatment of the disease will be critical for reducing anemia prevalence.  Similarly, where hookworm and other intestinal parasites are endemic, children and women should receive prophylactic deworming medication.

Anemia is routinely diagnosed with a blood test. MEASURE DHS tests women and children for anemia through finger prick or, in the case of young children, heel prick blood testing using the HemoCue blood hemoglobin testing system. Testing is voluntary and respondents receive the results of their anemia test immediately, as well as information about how to prevent anemia.

Anemia testing in MEASURE DHS surveys provides a cost-effective opportunity to estimate the prevalence and differentials in levels of anemia within the populations surveyed.