Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia, Stress and Depression Among Displaced Women in the Imphal Valley, Manipur

Prolonged conflict-related displacement, economic instability and limited access to healthcare increase women’s vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies and mental health disorders. This study assessed the prevalence of anaemia, stress and depression and identified their independent sociodemographic, reproductive and behavioural determinants among internally displaced Meitei women residing in relief camps in the Imphal Valley, Manipur. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 women aged 18–70 years. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, behavioural factors, healthcare access, anthropometry, haemoglobin concentration, stress and depression were collected using standardised procedures. Binary logistic regression was performed to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The prevalence of anaemia was 77.6%, with moderate anaemia accounting for 57.7%. High perceived stress affected 47.0% of women, while 26.1% screened positive for depression. After adjustment, anaemia was associated with younger age (18–34 years; AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.02–5.45), daily-wage employment (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.88–5.92), unemployment (AOR = 11.76, 95% CI: 2.45–55.50) and childbirths exceeding four (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.13–7.14). Stress was associated with very poor sleep quality (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.93–8.00), lack of healthcare access (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 2.74–8.96), tobacco use (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.50–3.95) and class II obesity (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.47–6.54), whereas depression was associated with very poor sleep quality (AOR = 10.00, 95% CI: 4.00–25.00), lack of healthcare access (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.22–4.56) and tobacco use (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.53–4.48). Although anaemia was associated with stress and depression in the crude analysis, these associations were not significant after adjustment. The findings underscored the need for integrated nutritional, reproductive and mental health interventions to improve the well-being of conflict-affected displaced women.