Behind the scene of the prevalence of anaemia: an extended way of reporting

OBJECTIVE: To develop the methods for an extended reporting of anaemia and to measure the status of the key contextual underlying factors of anaemia. DESIGN: Statistical appraisal of Hb v. key influencers of anaemia in Bangladesh – the intake of animal source food (ASF), concentration of Fe in the drinking groundwater (GWI) and the prevalence of congenital Hb disorder (CH) are conducted. The primary data of the National Micronutrient Survey 2011–2012 and the British Geological Survey 2001 are analysed to assess the intake of ASF and the GWI concentration, respectively. The prevalence of thalassaemia from a national survey is used to appraise the CH. ASF is evaluated relative to the 97·5(th) percentile intake and group scores are assigned. Association of the GWI and Hb is examined by the linear fit and the mspline fit and the group scores are allocated. Group score is allocated for the prevalence of thalassaemia. Inflammation-adjusted ferritin is considered to report Hb. SETTING: A nationwide survey in Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: Preschool children (6–59 months), school-age children (6–14 years) and non-pregnant non-lactating women (NPNLW, 15–49 years). RESULTS: The extended reporting to the prevalence of anaemia in Bangladeshi preschool children, school children and women is – anaemia 33 % (ASF: 2·08; GWI: 1·75; CH: 2), anaemia 19 % (ASF: 1·98; GWI: 1·56; CH: 2) and anaemia 26 % (ASF: 2·16; GWI: 1·58; CH: 2), respectively. CONCLUSION: The extended reporting of anaemia is a useful tool to understand the status of the key influencers of anaemia, to design the context-customised intervention and to monitor the intervention.