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

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a public health problem affecting people in both the developed and developing world and has serious consequences on health. OBJECTIVE: This study determines the prevalence of anemia amongst people of different socioeconomic levels, associated factors, and the prevalence of anemia in populations other than children or pregnant women. METHODS: This is 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 anemia respectively, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 35±11.8 years, with 28.9% of respondents being anemic. Female respondents (52.7%) were more than male respondents (47.3%). Female respondents (39.2%) had a higher prevalence of anemia than male respondents (17.5%). There was a significant association between sex, level of education, and anemia status. Being female, having no formal education, or only having a primary school level of education were significant predictors of anemia [odds ratio (OR)=2.55; 95% confidence interval (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 anemia 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 anemia in this region.