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Prevalence of Anaemia, Iron Deficiency, and Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women of Reproductive Age and Children under 5 Years of Age in South Africa (1997–2021): A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Eunice Turawa

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Oluwatoyin Awotiwon

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Muhammad Ali Dhansay

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
    Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
    Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Annibale Cois

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
    Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Demetre Labadarios

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Debbie Bradshaw

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
    Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa)

  • Victoria Pillay-van Wyk

    (Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

Abstract

Using a systematic review method, the prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age (WRA) and children under 5 years of age was obtained to inform priorities in health planning and policy in South Africa. We searched electronic databases for articles published between 1997 and 2021. A total of 713 articles were identified, of which 14 articles comprising 9649 WRA and 4085 children were included. Since most of the included studies were of low quality, we did not pool data in a meta-analysis due to heterogeneity (I 2 > 75%). In WRA, anaemia prevalence ranged from 22.0% to 44.0%; ID from 7.7% and 19.0%; and IDA from 10.5% to 9.7%. The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy was 29.0% to 42.7%; and 60.6% to 71.3% in HIV-infected pregnant women. Three national surveys reported anaemia in children at 28.9%, 10.7%, and 61.3%, respectively. Overall, among the children under 5 years old, anaemia was more prevalent in 1-year-olds (52.0%) compared to the other age groups. Between 2005 and 2012, ID increased by 3.8% and IDA decreased by 83.2% in children. Anaemia in WRA and children under 5 years in South Africa was a moderate public health concern. Therefore, interventions addressing anaemia should be intensified, and policies on iron supplementation and food fortification need to be revised and aligned to the WHO multiple micronutrient supplementation recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Eunice Turawa & Oluwatoyin Awotiwon & Muhammad Ali Dhansay & Annibale Cois & Demetre Labadarios & Debbie Bradshaw & Victoria Pillay-van Wyk, 2021. "Prevalence of Anaemia, Iron Deficiency, and Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women of Reproductive Age and Children under 5 Years of Age in South Africa (1997–2021): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12799-:d:695008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruno F. Sunguya & Si Zhu & Linda Simon Paulo & Bupe Ntoga & Fatma Abdallah & Vincent Assey & Rose Mpembeni & Jiayan Huang, 2020. "Regional Disparities in the Decline of Anemia and Remaining Challenges among Children in Tanzania: Analyses of the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey 2004–2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
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