Prevalence of anaemia and associated factors among adults in a select population in Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is a public health problem affecting people in both the developed and developing world, having serious consequences on health. Objective: This study determines the prevalence of anaemia amongst people of different socioeconomic levels, associated factors and the prevalence of anaemia in populations other than children or pregnant women. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect data from 387 residents. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used. Analysis of blood samples using the HemoCue301 system and data analysis using SPSS 20. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to test association and determine predictors of anaemia respectively, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of respondents was 35 ± 11.8 years, with 28.9% of all respondents being anaemic. Female respondents (52.7%) were more than male respondents (47.3%). Female respondents (39.2%) had a prevalence of anaemia than male respondents (17.5%). There was a significant association between sex, level of education and anaemia status. Being female, having no formal education or having only a primary school level of education were significant predictors of anaemia (OR= 2.55, 95%CI: 1.54, 4.23 p=0.00, OR= 12.57 95%CI: 2.39, 66.27 p=0.00 and OR= 2.54 95%CI: 1.16, 5.58 p=0.02 respectively). Conclusion: There was a higher prevalence of anaemia among women, younger people and those with no or only primary levels of formal education. Awareness programs targeted at women and people with lower levels of education are necessary to reduce the overall prevalence of anaemia in this region.