Predictors of anemia among lactating women in ethiopia: Using 2016 EDHS; application of ordinal logistic regression model

Maternal anemia during lactation constitutes a significant public health concern in Ethiopia, presenting considerable health risks to both mothers and their infants. Despite ongoing efforts implemented over recent decades, the prevalence of anemia among lactating women continues to rise across all regions of the country. Although numerous studies have investigated anemia and its associated factors, the majority have not accounted for the varying degrees of anemia severity, thereby limiting the comprehensive understanding necessary for effective intervention. To address this gap, the present study aims to identify factors associated with different levels of anemia among lactating women in Ethiopia. The 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data were utilized for secondary analysis. Data collection occurred from January 18 to June 27, 2016, encompassing all Ethiopian regions. The study participants were chosen using a two-stage cluster sampling method. The analysis included 4040 lactating women. Stata version 15 was employed for data analysis. To identify independent factors influencing anemia among lactating mothers, ordinal logistic regression was applied. Variables with P values below 0.05 were considered significant. The study revealed that 32.4% of lactating women were anemic, with 1.3% suffering from severe anemia, 7.7% from moderate anemia, and 23.4% from mild anemia. Rural residence was associated with higher odds of more severe anemia (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5–0.8), whereas owning a mobile phone (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.6), being a female household head (AOR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9), higher wealth (AOR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.6), and employment (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) were associated with lower odds of severe anemia. The findings indicate that residing in rural areas substantially increases the risk of anemia in lactating women. In contrast, being a female household head with access to a mobile phone, being employed, and having a higher socioeconomic status are associated with a reduced likelihood of anemia. To tackle this issue effectively, it is necessary to implement targeted interventions for lactating women in rural areas, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those who are unemployed.