Maternal anemia and risk of adverse maternal health and birth outcomes in Bangladesh: A nationwide population-based survey

BACKGROUND: Maternal anemia is an ongoing public health challenge in low- and middle- income countries, including Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to explore the association of maternal anemia with a range of adverse maternal health and birth outcomes in Bangladesh. METHODS: A total of 2,259 maternal women data was analyzed, extracted from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Outcome variables considered were a range of maternal health and birth outcomes. Adverse maternal health outcomes were pregnancy complications, pregnancy termination, menstrual irregularities, cesarean delivery, diabetes, and hypertension. Adverse birth outcomes considered were low birth weight, stillbirths, early neonatal deaths, perinatal deaths, preterm birth, and prolonged labor. The main exposure variable was maternal anemia status. Mixed effect multilevel logistic/poisson regression model was used to determine the association between exposure and outcome variable adjusted for individual-, household-, and community-level factors. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of anemia was 44%. A higher likelihoods pregnancy complication (AOR, 1.39, 95% CI, 1.09–2.41, p<0.05) and lower likelihoods of menstrual irregularities (AOR, 0.79, 95% CI, 0.58–0.94, p<0.05), diabetes (AOR, 0.78, 95% CI, 0.49–0.98, p<0.05) and hypertensive (AOR, 0.79, 95% CI, 0.60–0.96, p<0.05) were found among anemic maternal women as compared to the non-anemic maternal women. Adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (AOR, 2.03, 95% CI, 1.01–4.25, p<0.05), early neonatal mortality (AOR, 1.87, 95% CI, 1.06–5.10), and perinatal mortality (AOR, 1.54, 95% CI, 1.09–3.52, p<0.05), were also found higher among newborn of anemic maternal women as compared to the newborn of non-anemic maternal women. CONCLUSION: Anemia during pregnancy increases the occurrence of adverse maternal health and birth outcomes. Strategies to reduce anemia, such as iron supplementation, during pregnancy and among reproductive-aged women need to be prioritized in the policies and programs.