{"title":"Severity and Determinants of Anemia Among Adolescent Girls in Africa: A Multicountry and Multilevel Analysis of 25 Countries.","authors":"Bedilu Alamirie Ejigu, Getnet Bogale Begashaw, Fentanesh Nibret Tiruneh","doi":"10.1155/anem/1066665","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/1066665","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anemia remains a major public health concern in Africa, with substantial health and developmental consequences. Adolescents, particularly girls, are at increased risk due to rapid growth, menstruation, and inadequate dietary intake. Identifying the severity and determinants of anemia among adolescent girls in Africa is crucial for developing appropriate interventions, yet evidence remains scarce.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the severity and determinants of anemia among adolescent girls in Africa using nationally representative data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 25 African countries, including 41,662 adolescent girls aged 15-19 years. The severity of anemia was determined using descriptive statistics based on proportions. Anemia severity was modeled as a four-level ordinal outcome (none, mild, moderate, and severe) using survey-weighted multilevel ordinal (proportional-odds) logistic regression with a random intercept at the cluster level. Chi-square tests assessed initial associations, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported from the final model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall magnitude of anemia among adolescent girls was 42.3% (95% CI: 41.96-44.20). In the multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with lower odds of anemia included primary education (AOR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.94), secondary and above education (AOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.98), rich and richer wealth status (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.65-0.91), employment (0.86; 95% CI: 0.78-0.94), hormonal contraceptive use (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.38-0.51), parity (0.85; 95% CI: 0.76-0.95), and normal and overweight/obese nutritional status (AOR = 0.84; 95% CI:0.73-0.97 and AOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62-0.91), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anemia affects a substantial proportion of adolescent girls in Africa and is influenced by educational, economic, reproductive, and nutritional factors. Interventions should focus on keeping girls in school, encouraging employment opportunities, and maintaining healthy bodyweight. Addressing these determinants is vital for improving adolescent girls' health and achieving sustainable development goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1066665"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13678286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149225258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Serum Metabolomic Signatures of Iron Deficiency Anemia: An Untargeted LC-HRMS-Based Case-Control Study.","authors":"Metin Demirel, Fatmanur Köktaşoğlu, Halime Dulun Ağaç, Ayşe Zehra Gül, Ufuk Sarıkaya, Ahmet Ceyhan Goren, Cumali Karatoprak, Şahabettin Selek","doi":"10.1155/anem/6256940","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/6256940","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Iron deficiency anemia is primarily evaluated using hematological and iron-related parameters; however, these markers may not fully reflect the systemic metabolic consequences of impaired oxygen delivery and altered iron availability. This study aimed to characterize serum metabolomic alterations associated with iron deficiency anemia using an untargeted LC-HRMS approach.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Serum samples from 47 individuals with iron deficiency anemia and 50 healthy controls were analyzed by LC-HRMS in positive and negative ionization modes. Data processing and metabolite annotation were performed using MassCube and MZmine workflows. Multivariate and univariate analyses, covariate-adjusted models, metabolite set enrichment analysis, correlations with hematologic/iron indices, and internally cross-validated exploratory ROC analyses were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PCA showed partial separation between iron deficiency anemia and control groups, while OPLS-DA demonstrated clearer group discrimination. Differential metabolites indicated prominent alterations in amino acid, central carbon, nitrogen-related, and redox-associated pathways. The principal amino-acid/nitrogen-related differences remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, albumin, and total protein. In the full cohort, several discriminatory metabolites correlated with hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation, although these correlations did not remain FDR-significant within the IDA group alone. Repeated stratified 5-fold cross-validation yielded a mean AUC of 0.964 for the three-metabolite model comprising isoleucine, isonicotinic acid, and phenylalanine.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Untargeted serum metabolomics revealed a distinct metabolic signature in iron deficiency anemia, mainly involving amino acid remodeling, central carbon metabolism, nitrogen balance, and redox-associated pathways. These findings provide a basis for future targeted and externally validated metabolomics studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6256940"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13636662/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149116390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-10-04eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/7713981
Marielle Igala, Rick Farel Ewendje, Nathalie Ambounda Ledaga, Léonie Esther Ledaga Lentombo, Paule Marcelle Bamba Moussounda, Graziella Dolores Helley Ondo, Sarah Ikhogou Mensah, Axel Dany Ollo Ebozogo, Jean Bruno Boguikouma
{"title":"Factors Associated With Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease and Haemoglobin Genotype Awareness Among Pregnant Women in Three Health Centres in Libreville and Owendo, Gabon.","authors":"Marielle Igala, Rick Farel Ewendje, Nathalie Ambounda Ledaga, Léonie Esther Ledaga Lentombo, Paule Marcelle Bamba Moussounda, Graziella Dolores Helley Ondo, Sarah Ikhogou Mensah, Axel Dany Ollo Ebozogo, Jean Bruno Boguikouma","doi":"10.1155/anem/7713981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/7713981","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In Gabon, screening for sickle cell disease, a hereditary disorder that causes haemolytic anaemia due to the sickling of red blood cells, is systematic during pregnancy and mandatory before marriage. Several years after the implementation of these measures, this study aimed to identify the factors associated with knowledge of sickle cell disease and awareness of haemoglobin genotype among pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>This was a multicentre, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted from May to December 2024 in three health centres in Greater Libreville. Pregnant women of any age, regardless of gestational age, who agreed to participate by giving written consent were included. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi-Info software, version 7.2.3.1. Multivariable logistic regression was additionally performed to identify independent determinants of haemoglobin genotype awareness and of general knowledge of sickle cell disease.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 300 women with a mean age of 26.6 ± 5.9 years were included. They were mostly single (56%), in training or apprenticeship (42%), with a secondary education level (54%). Haemoglobin genotype was known to 128 (42.7%) participants. Awareness of one's own genotype was independently associated with age (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.18), number of antenatal visits (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.26-1.69), and tertiary education (aOR = 5.61, 95% CI 1.66-19.02), whereas marital status, significant in bivariate analysis, was not an independent determinant after adjustment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mandatory screening policies alone are insufficient to ensure adequate awareness of sickle cell disease and haemoglobin genotype. Antenatal care visits represent a concrete, currently underused opportunity for structured counselling; integrating progressive, education-adapted genetic counselling into routine antenatal care should be prioritised to strengthen the public health impact of Gabon's existing screening programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"7713981"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13635798/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149116353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-09-30eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/6657161
Zelalem Meraf Wolde, Nigussie Adam Birhan, Kefale Tilahun Getahun, Kahsay Kiros Hailu, Batholomew Chibuike James, Roy Rillera Marzo, Wegayehu Enbeyle Sheferaw, Endale Alemayehu Ali, Denekew Bitew Belay
{"title":"Spatial Patterns and Determinants of Childhood Anemia in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Evidence From the 2023/2024 DHS.","authors":"Zelalem Meraf Wolde, Nigussie Adam Birhan, Kefale Tilahun Getahun, Kahsay Kiros Hailu, Batholomew Chibuike James, Roy Rillera Marzo, Wegayehu Enbeyle Sheferaw, Endale Alemayehu Ali, Denekew Bitew Belay","doi":"10.1155/anem/6657161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/6657161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anemia in children is a serious public health issue in low-income settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), evidence on the geographic distribution and multilevel determinants of childhood anemia remains limited. This study aimed to examine the spatial pattern and identify individual, household, and community-level determinants of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in the DRC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2023/2024 DRC-DHS. A weighted sample of 9449 children aged 6-59 months was included. Spatial analyses were performed using Global Moran's I, Getis-Ord Gi∗, and Kriging interpolation techniques to assess geographic clustering and spatial patterns of childhood anemia. Multilevel binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with childhood anemia, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 9449 children, 6092 (64.5%) were anemic. Spatial analysis showed significant geographic clustering of anemia in the DRC (Moran's I = 0.516, <i>p</i> = 0.0078), with hotspot regions in western-central and cold spots in eastern provinces. Our findings showed that several factors were associated with lower odds of childhood anemia. Specifically, we observed reduced odds among children aged 24-35 months (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.34-0.68), females (AOR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81-0.98), and those from households in the middle wealth index (AOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.98). In contrast, higher odds of childhood anemia were observed among children with severe stunting (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.04-1.37), severe underweight (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.31-1.92), fever (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.10-1.40), those born to anemic mothers (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.26-1.53), children from households with female household head (AOR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.08-1.35), and those residing in communities with higher levels of poverty (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05-1.47).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Childhood anemia in the DRC remains highly prevalent and spatially clustered, with western and northern provinces particularly affected. Individual, household, and community factors were identified as significant determinants of anemia risk. Targeted interventions focusing on high-risk regions, nutritional support, maternal health, and socioeconomic improvements are critical to reducing childhood anemia in the DRC.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6657161"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13627866/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149116365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-09-30eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/5554286
Noor Abu Eid, Omar Abueed, Maya Abuarayes, Reham Khresheh
{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Maternal Anemia Among Pregnant Women in Central Jordan.","authors":"Noor Abu Eid, Omar Abueed, Maya Abuarayes, Reham Khresheh","doi":"10.1155/anem/5554286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/5554286","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maternal anemia remains one of the most significant public health issues, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries. The World Health Organization reported a maternal anemia prevalence of 37% among women of reproductive age; this rate is further inflated in developing countries. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to estimate the prevalence of maternal anemia and assess its associated risk factors among pregnant women receiving maternity services in central Jordan. Data collection was conducted using validated self-administered questionnaires administered to 297 pregnant women receiving medical care at three medical facilities during the period between August and November of 2023. The questionnaire examined several domains related to maternal anemia, including sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy profile, reproductive history, nutritional habits, hemoglobin levels, and evaluated the knowledge level of anemia among pregnant women. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with multivariable logistic regression as the primary inferential model, supplemented by a multilayer perceptron neural network to validate predictor consistency. The models achieved an accuracy of 73.0% and 71.1%, respectively. The results revealed that approximately half of the participants (52.5%) were anemic. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the associated risk factors for maternal anemia. Anemia is more likely to develop in later stages of pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.036-2.771) and among women with a high number of abortions (OR = 6.33, 95% [CI] 1.314-13.515), whereas the use of nutritional supplements was a protective factor (OR = 0.104, 95% [CI] 0.013-0.858). These results highlight the urgent need for strengthened antenatal screening protocols and targeted nutritional interventions, particularly for women in later stages of pregnancy and those with a history of abortions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"5554286"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13626144/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149116335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-09-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/8514650
Md Rakibul Hasan Rahat, Md Imtiajul Haque, Sinthia Doly Shurmi, Akbor Hossain, Muzahid Fahim, Arafat Bin Muhammad, Nur Islam Bahar, Md Earul Islam, Razibul Islam, Md Kamruzzaman, Shaikh Shahinur Rahman
{"title":"Clinical, Hematological, and Nutritional Profiling of Thalassemia Patients: Insights From a Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Md Rakibul Hasan Rahat, Md Imtiajul Haque, Sinthia Doly Shurmi, Akbor Hossain, Muzahid Fahim, Arafat Bin Muhammad, Nur Islam Bahar, Md Earul Islam, Razibul Islam, Md Kamruzzaman, Shaikh Shahinur Rahman","doi":"10.1155/anem/8514650","DOIUrl":"10.1155/anem/8514650","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thalassemia is a significant inherited hemoglobin (Hb) disorder that poses a major public health burden in Bangladesh. While the role of nutrition and lifestyle in disease management is now recognized, there is still little data on the sociodemographic, clinical, nutritional, and lifestyle factors of thalassemia patients and their relationship with Hb levels. The aim of this study was to describe these factors and identify independent predictors of Hb levels in individuals with thalassemia in Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a multicenter cross-sectional study of 270 previously diagnosed thalassemia patients from thalassemia care facilities in Bangladesh. Hb electrophoresis was used for the diagnosis of all participants, but no genotype subtype was recorded. Sociodemographic, clinical, dietary, and lifestyle information was gathered, and blood samples were tested for Hb levels. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and multivariable linear regression was used to determine the independent predictors of Hb levels after adjusting for potential confounders.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants had a mean age of 13.9 ± 10.8 years; 55.0% were male, and 93.0% were Muslim. The mean BMI was significantly low (15.8 ± 3.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), and the mean Hb concentration was severely low (7.5 ± 1.3 g/dL). Dietary quality was poor, with high consumption of junk food (98.9%) and trans fat (99.6%), high consumption frequency of raw salt (94.1%), and low consumption frequency of vegetables (5.9%). The multivariate model was not statistically significant (<i>R</i> <sup>2</sup> = 0.111; <i>F</i> (21, 248) = 1.47; <i>p</i> = 0.089). Daily fruit intake was inversely associated with Hb levels (<i>β</i> = -0.76; 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.21; <i>p</i> = 0.007); however, this association was not significant in the unadjusted analysis and was not significant after multiple testing. The apparent association with trans-fat intake was not interpretable since only one participant reported avoiding trans-fat. Hb levels were not significantly related to any other demographic, clinical, or dietary variable.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Thalassemia patients in Bangladesh were found to be severely anemic, unduly undernourished, and with poor dietary quality. The assessed factors accounted for little variation in Hb levels, and none of the factors were associated after multiple-testing correction. These findings emphasize the importance of adequate transfusion management and nutrition in these participants.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8514650"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13601856/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149041406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-09-08eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/3201387
Alexandra Lacurezeanu, Dan Cristian Vodnar
{"title":"Factors Influencing Acceptance of Microalgae-Based Iron Supplements in Romanian Adults With Self-Reported Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Alexandra Lacurezeanu, Dan Cristian Vodnar","doi":"10.1155/anem/3201387","DOIUrl":"10.1155/anem/3201387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microalgae-derived iron preparations are entering clinical discourse as a potentially better-tolerated alternative to conventional ferrous salt supplementation, which fails a substantial proportion of the approximately 571 million women globally affected by iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) due to gastrointestinal adverse effects. Yet translational readiness requires more than biological efficacy data it requires knowing whether patients would actually accept such preparations under realistic informational conditions. No study has addressed this question in a defined IDA population. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 71 Romanian adults with physician-diagnosed IDA and prior oral iron experience, measuring informed acceptance assessed only after participants received standardized clinical information, including current evidence limitations, using a validated 5-item composite score (ACC_score; <i>α</i> = 0.801). Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) attitudes, motivators, adverse-effect burden, and physician trust were examined as predictors via Spearman correlations and ordinary least squares regression. Acceptance was high overall (ACC_score = 20.68, SD = 3.25) though concentrated near the scale ceiling (IQR = 19-23), limiting variability in the outcome and likely attenuating observed associations. The multivariate model explained 63.8% of variance (<i>p</i> < 0.001); self-efficacy showed the strongest standardized association in the primary OLS model (<i>β</i> = 0.384), followed by perceived barriers (<i>β</i> = -0.275), CAM attitudes (<i>β</i> = 0.248), and perceived susceptibility (<i>β</i> = 0.229) though self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance in a binary logistic sensitivity analysis (OR = 4.01, <i>p</i> = 0.058), most likely reflecting information loss from outcome dichotomization. Critically, among individual barrier items, only the lack of long-term evidence reached statistical significance a specific, addressable target for patient communication. Notably, safety concerns about current iron formulations were positively, not negatively, associated with acceptance, consistent with an activated patient profile in which dissatisfaction with tolerability motivates alternative-seeking. The sample was highly selected (95.8% female and 91.5% university educated), and the findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, clinically verified, and more representative IDA populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3201387"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13551349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148913749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Knowledge and Practice of Anemia Prevention Strategies in Pregnancy Among Women Attending Antenatal Care in Northeast Ethiopia, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Zenebe Tefera Ayele, Mandefro Assefaw Geremew, Wondimnew Gashaw Kettema, Nigusie Abebaw Mekonen, Atrsaw Dessie Liyew, Tenagnework Dilnesa Mulualem, Lemlem Chanyalew Melese, Asres Eshetie Feleke, Lubaba Ahmed Mohamed, Yezbalem Negesse Simegn, Alemtsehay Wossen Samuel, Mengistu Abate Belay","doi":"10.1155/anem/4969932","DOIUrl":"10.1155/anem/4969932","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Anemia during pregnancy is considered one of the main risk factors contributing to 20%-40% of maternal mortality. Most causes of anemia in pregnancy are preventable. However, data on women's knowledge and practices regarding comprehensive strategies necessary for anemia prevention during pregnancy are limited in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of anemia prevention strategies during pregnancy in South Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed from November 1 to December 10, 2024, among 420 pregnant women. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations with a binary logistic model were performed to assess the net effects of predictors while controlling for confounders and computing cluster-robust standard errors. Statistical differences were considered at <i>p</i>-value < 0.05, and the strength of association was assessed by odds ratio and respective cluster-robust 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The study showed that 52.1% of pregnant women had good knowledge of anemia prevention strategies and 53.1% demonstrated good practice. Good knowledge was significantly associated with higher maternal education (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.76), higher partner education (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI: 2.24, 4.57), and intended pregnancy (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1. 41, 10.21). Good practice was significantly associated with urban residence (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.63), higher maternal education (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1. 19, 3.96), previous history of anemia (AOR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.33, 7.72), and good knowledge (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1. 32, 3.06).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Just over half of the pregnant women in South Wollo Zone had good knowledge and practice regarding anemia prevention, leaving substantial, critical gaps in dietary habits, deworming, and bed net utilization. Therefore, healthcare providers and program managers should focus on reaching rural and less-educated women with targeted antenatal education, while expanding preconception family planning services to reduce unintended pregnancies.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"4969932"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13526280/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148867197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-08-27eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/7951443
Pranav Singh, Sabaa Saad-Omer, Carlos Galvez, Shweta Gupta
{"title":"Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia Among Reproductive-Age Women in the United States: Prevalence and Disparities, 2015-2023.","authors":"Pranav Singh, Sabaa Saad-Omer, Carlos Galvez, Shweta Gupta","doi":"10.1155/anem/7951443","DOIUrl":"10.1155/anem/7951443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) remain highly prevalent among U.S. reproductive-age women, with substantial racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities. This study examined the contemporary burden of ID and IDA among U.S. reproductive-age women using inflammation-adjusted diagnostic criteria and an explicit health equity framework.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional analysis of 3322 women aged 18-49 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2023). ID and IDA were defined using World Health Organization 2020 inflammation-adjusted ferritin thresholds incorporating C-reactive protein. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between sociodemographic factors and iron status outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among nonpregnant women (<i>n</i> = 3156), 27.4% had ID and 8% had IDA. Among pregnant women (<i>n</i> = 166), 75.5% had ID and 8.3% had IDA. Non-Hispanic Black women had 2.8-fold higher odds of IDA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.8, 95% CI 1.6, 4.9). Obesity was independently associated with ID (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.86, 3.24) in nonpregnant women and pregnant women (aOR 4.5, 95% CI 1.08, 18.76). Racial and ethnic disparities persisted after adjustment for education, income, and food security.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ID and IDA remain highly prevalent among U.S. reproductive-age women, with substantial and persistent racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities. As a preventable and treatable condition with significant impacts on quality of life and pregnancy outcomes, it warrants greater clinical and public health attention, particularly among non-Hispanic Black women, Hispanic women, women with obesity, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"7951443"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AnemiaPub Date : 2026-08-26eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/anem/1374218
Vasileios Giannopapas, Evangelia-Makrina Dimitriadou, Alexandra Akrivaki, Dimitrios K Kitsos, Konstantina Stavrogianni, Athanasios K Chasiotis, Konstantinos Tsamis, George P Paraskevas, Maria Kosmidou, John S Tzartos, Georgios Tsivgoulis, Sotirios Giannopoulos
{"title":"Prevalence and Risk of Anemia in People With Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Vasileios Giannopapas, Evangelia-Makrina Dimitriadou, Alexandra Akrivaki, Dimitrios K Kitsos, Konstantina Stavrogianni, Athanasios K Chasiotis, Konstantinos Tsamis, George P Paraskevas, Maria Kosmidou, John S Tzartos, Georgios Tsivgoulis, Sotirios Giannopoulos","doi":"10.1155/anem/1374218","DOIUrl":"10.1155/anem/1374218","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Anemia appears as a common comorbidity in a different timing and underlying pathophysiology in people with MS (PwMS) and has been proposed as a prodrome finding in MS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to fulfill the need to clarify some characteristics of anemia in PwMS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search was performed using the MEDLINE PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Eligible studies underwent quality assessment using the Robins-E, and a meta-analysis of proportion was performed. The risk of anemia in PwMS versus healthy controls was calculated based on a subset of case-control studies. Reliability and robustness were assessed using leave-one-out analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In a pool of 143,879 PwMS across 21 studies, anemia had a pooled prevalence of 12.5% (95% CI [8.1%, 17.7%], <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 99.0%, <i>p</i> <sub><i>Q</i></sub> = 0). In a subset of five studies, the relative risk of anemia between PwMS and healthy controls was 2.9 (95% CI [1.45, 5.79], <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 97.6%, <i>p</i> <sub><i>z</i></sub> = 0.002, <i>p</i> <sub><i>Q</i></sub> < 0.001) in favor of PwMS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The intersection between anemia and MS presents a complex, multifaceted clinical challenge due to several pathophysiological mechanisms and DMT-related interactions. Further structured studies are needed to evaluate the exact underlying mechanisms and the directionality of this relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":46055,"journal":{"name":"Anemia","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1374218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519306/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}