Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Living in Koloji Camps of Fafan Zone of Somali region, Ethiopia, 2024

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries and contributes substantially to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Evidence on the burden of anemia among pregnant women living in refugee or internally displaced settings remains limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among pregnant women living in the Qoloji internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the Somali Region, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1–29, 2024, among pregnant women residing in Qoloji IDP camp. A total of 390 pregnant women were selected, and data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires using the local language. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 17. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with anemia. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (COR/AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Statistical significance was declared at p-value &lt; 0.05. Multicollinearity was assessed using variance inflation factor (VIF), and model fitness was checked using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Results A total of 380 pregnant women participated in the study (response rate: 97.5%). The overall prevalence of anemia was 42.11% (95% CI: 37.2–47.1). Among anemic pregnant women, 52 (32.5%) had mild anemia (Hb 10.0–10.9 g/dL), 83 (51.9%) had moderate anemia (Hb 7.0–9.9 g/dL), and 25 (15.6%) had severe anemia (Hb &lt; 7.0 g/dL). In the multivariable analysis, anemia was significantly associated with maternal educational status (AOR = 3.94, 95% CI: 2.10–7.37), gestational age (AOR = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.46–14.23), history of blood loss (AOR = 7.84, 95% CI: 3.90–15.74), meal frequency per day (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.16–3.56), frequent consumption of coffee/tea immediately after meals (AOR = 8.02, 95% CI: 3.75–17.16), and lack of iron–folic acid supplementation (AOR = 5.14, 95% CI: 2.78–9.50). Conclusion The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Qoloji IDP camp was high and represents a severe public health problem based on WHO classification. Maternal education, gestational age, history of blood loss, meal frequency, coffee/tea consumption immediately after meals, and iron–folic acid supplementation was significantly associated with anemia. Strengthening nutrition education, improving dietary practices, and promoting iron–folic acid supplementation is recommended, particularly in displaced populations.