Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T05:21:36.294Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Risk factors for iron-deficiency anaemia among pregnant women living in rural Vietnam

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Ritsuko Aikawa*
Affiliation:
Institute for International Cooperation, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo, Japan School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
Ngyen C Khan
Affiliation:
National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam
Satoshi Sasaki
Affiliation:
National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan
Colin W Binns
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: Email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

To assess the prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam and to determine its risk factors.

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Vietnam, Nghe An Province.

Study population

The total number of participants was 439. Of these participants, one was excluded from the study due to a mental disorder. Forty-seven did not participate in the test for parasites and 68 did not complete at least one of the questions.

Results

The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) < 11.0 g dl−1) was 43.2% and of severe anaemia (Hb < 8.0 g dl−1) was 0.5%. Taking iron tablets, the consumption of eggs and the preference for Western medicine significantly and positively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women in a multiple regression analysis. Pregnancy duration and hookworm infestation significantly and negatively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam has remained as high as that found in the national anaemia survey in 2000. The results of the present study could aid in the development of an iron-deficiency anaemia programme among pregnant women in rural Vietnam that emphasises iron supplementation, parasite control and improved diet, including the consumption of eggs. The programme's focus should be on women who prefer traditional medicine to Western medicine.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

References

1Preziosi, P, Prual, A, Galan, P, Daouda, H, Boureima, H, Hercberg, S. Effect of iron supplementation on the iron status of pregnant women: consequences for newborns. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997; 66(5): 1178–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2United Nations Children's Fund/United Nations University/World Health Organization (WHO). Iron Deficiency Anae-mia: Assessment, Prevention and Control. A Guide for Programme Managers. Geneva: WHO, 2001.Google Scholar
3Allen, HL, Casterline-Sabel, J. Prevalence and causes of nutritional anemia. In: Ramakrishnan, U, ed. Nutritional Anemias. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2000; 722.Google Scholar
4Beard, J. One person's view of iron deficiency, development, and cognitive function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1995; 62(4): 709–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Allen, L, Gillespie, S. What Works? A Review of the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Nutrition Interventions. Nutrition Policy Paper No. 19, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Nutrition and Development Series No. 5. Geneva/Manila: United Nations Administrative Committee on Coordination, Sub-committee on Nutrition/ADB, 2001; 4354.Google Scholar
6Trowbridge, F, Martorell, R. Summary and recommendations. Journal of Nutrition 2002; 132(4 Suppl.): 875S–9S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Hallberg, L, Bengtsson, G, Garby, L, Lennartsson, J, Rossander, A, Tibblin, E. An analysis of factors leading to a reduction in iron deficiency in Swedish women. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 1979; 57(6): 947–54.Google ScholarPubMed
8Winichagoon, P. Prevention and control of anemia: Thailand experiences. Journal of Nutrition 2002; 132(4 Suppl.): 862S–6S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Dicko, A, Mantel, C, Thera, MA, Doumbia, S, Diallo, M, Diakite, M, et al. Risk factors for malaria infection and anemia for pregnant women in the Sahel area of Bandiagara. Mali. Acta Tropica 2003; 89(1): 1723.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Marchant, T, Armstrong Schellenberg, JR, Edgar, T, Ronsmans, C, Nathan, R, Abdulla, S, et al. Anaemia during pregnancy in southern Tanzania. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 2002; 96(5): 477–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Bondevik, GT, Eskeland, B, Ulvik, RJ, Ulstein, M, Lie, RT, Schneede, J, et al. Anaemia in pregnancy: possible causes and risk factors in Nepali women. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000; 54(1): 38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Musaiger, AO. Iron deficiency anemia among children and pregnant women in the Arab Gulf countries: the need for action. Nutrition and Health 2002; 16(3): 161–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Department of Culture and Information. Vietnam Development Report 2000. Attacking Poverty. Joint Report of the Government-Donor-NGO Working Group. Hanoi: Department of Culture and Information, 1999.Google Scholar
14National Institute of Nutrition. Report of the National Anemia and Nutrition Risk Factor Survey. Hanoi: National Institute of Nutrition, 1995.Google Scholar
15Johns, WL, Lewis, SM. Primary health screening by haemoglobinometry in a tropical community. Bulletin the World Health Organization 1989; 67(6): 627–33.Google Scholar
16Pawlowski, ZS, Schad, GA, Stott, GJ. Hookworm Infection and Anemia. Approaches to Prevention and Control. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2002.Google Scholar
17Khoi, HH. Report on Vietnam National Anemia Survey, 2000. Hanoi: National Institute of Nutrition, 2001.Google Scholar
18World Bank/Sida/AusAID/Royal Netherlands Embassy/Ministry of Health of Vietnam. Vietnam Growing Healthy: A Review of Vietnam's Health Sector. Hanoi: Vietnam Development Information Center, 2001.Google Scholar
19Hoang, TQ. National Nutrition Strategy 2001–2010. Hanoi: Medical Publishing House, 2001.Google Scholar
20Earl, R, Wateki, CE. Iron Deficient Anemia, Recommendation Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection and Management among US Children and Women of Childbearing Age. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1993.Google Scholar
21Atukorala, TM, de Silva, LD, Dechering, WH, Dassenaeike, TS, Perera, RS. Evaluation of effectiveness of iron–folate supplementation and anthelminthic therapy against anemia in pregnancy – a study in the plantation sector of SriLanka. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994; 60(2): 286–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar