Prevalence of Anemia and Its Associated Factors Among Female Adolescents in Ambo Town, West Shewa, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of anemia among female adolescents and factors associated with it in Ambo town, West Shewa, Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 523 randomly selected female adolescents living in Ambo town, Ethiopia from August 5–29, 2018. Data were collected through structured interview using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were done and the hemoglobin value was measured on the field and adjusted for the altitude. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictors of anemia. Level of statistical significance was declared at P<0.05. RESULTS: In this study, 39% (95% CI= 34.8–43%) participants were anemic, of which 63 (30.9%) and 46 (22.5%) female adolescents were stunted and wasted, respectively. Anemia was considerably high among female adolescents with high dietary diversity score. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write (AOR= 3.27; 95% CI=1.79–5.97), who always take tea and/or coffee within 30 minutes after meal (AOR= 6.19; 95% CI=3.32–11.48), who were wasted (AOR=1.67; 95% CI=1.11–2.52), and who had already attained their menses (AOR=1.93; 95% CI=1.19–3.13) were more likely to be anemic compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Nearly four in ten female adolescents in the study setting were anemic. Anemia among female adolescents was a moderate public health problem. Adolescents born to mothers who were unable to read and write, who consumed tea/coffee within 30 minutes after a meal, who were wasted, and who had already attained menses should be prioritized for interventions aiming at addressing iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents.