Magnitude of Anemia and Socio Demographic Factors Associated With It Among Adults Age 15-49 Years In Ethiopia: A Population Based Study Using The 2016 Demographic and Health Survey Data

Background: According to World Health Organization (WHO); anemia considered as a major public threat when prevalence was greater than 40%, a moderate public threat from 20-40%, and as a mild threat from 5-20%. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated socio demographic factors among adults age 15-49 years in Ethiopia. Methods: Demographic and Health Surveys in 2016, in Ethiopia were analyzed in SPSS, using multivariate logistic regression. Socio demographic variables were selected based on their availability in the dataset. Results: Of the total sample of 27289 of men and women 15-49 years at the time of survey, 19.8 % (n = 5078) anemia. Men and women 15-49 years living in rural areas 0.029 (AOR 0.029 ; 95% CI:0.018-0.048) ,men and women age living in afar region 0.821 (AOR 0.821; 95% CI: 0.725--0.929) , men and women who are in lowest wealth quintile 1.255 (AOR 1.255; 95% CI: 1.091-1.445) and an increase in one-year in age 9.952 (95% CI 6.2 to 16.1) were found significant predictors of anemia. Conclusions: The magnitude of anemia in the current study was found to be a mild public health problem. Rural residence, low wealth quartile and old age were predictors of anemia among adults Age 15-49 years. There is significant urban-rural difference in anemia prevalence, indicating the need for targeting specific areas for intervention.