Causes of Anemia Among Women of Reproductive Age
Condition: Anemia
MeSH terms: Anemia
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The goal of this observational study is to assess the causes of anemia in women of
      reproductive age. The main questions it aims to answer are:

        -  What are the causes of anemia among women of reproductive age?

        -  What is the contribution of iron deficiency to overall anemia?

        -  What is the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies among women of reproductive age with
           anemia?

      Participants will be asked to respond to the interview questions, and provide blood, urine,
      and stool samples.
    

Detailed description: 
      One-third of the global population is affected by anemia making it one of the major public
      health problems at the global level. Women of reproductive age are at risk for anemia. The
      prevalence of anemia reported in 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) is a
      moderate public health problem at the national level, but it is a severe public health
      problem in the Somali regional state among women of reproductive age (WRA). The purpose of
      this study is to assess the etiology and determinant factors of anemia among women of
      reproductive age. A cross-sectional design will be employed for the current study. In the
      current study, the investigators will assess the causes and contributing factors for anemia
      and their relationship with anemia. Women of reproductive age 18-49 years old residing in the
      Kebribeyah district are the target population for this study. The sample size determined for
      the current study is 881. The Somali region was selected for the current study due to its
      highest prevalence of anemia (60.6%%) among women of reproductive age according to the EDHS
      2016. Kerbribeyah district was selected from the Somali regional state. Simple random
      sampling was employed to select three kebeles (villages) from the available kebeles with no
      other nutrition interventions in the Kebribeyah district. Two enumerations areas (EAs) from
      each of the three kebeles will be selected by simple random sampling. The sample size
      determined will be allocated to three kebeles and two EAs within the Kebeles on probability
      proportional to size (PPS). The study participants will be selected by systematic random
      sampling from a list of participants in a sampling frame obtained by house-to-house listing.
      After obtaining written informed consent, the data will be collected from the selected
      participant in their homes. All study participants who take part in the current study will be
      interviewed. They will also provide blood, urine, and stool samples. The prevalence of anemia
      and iron status biomarkers are the primary outcomes for the current study. The participants
      will be tested for anemia by measuring hemoglobin concentration. In addition, a complete
      blood count (CBC) test will be done for all study participants. The current study will fill
      the evidence gap by identifying major causes and contributors to overall anemia among women
      of reproductive age in the Kebribeyah district. The researchers anticipate that determining
      the causes of anemia will be a crucial first step in tackling the high prevalence of anemia
      among women of reproductive age in the Somali regional state and beyond.
    

Observational model: Ecologic or Community
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Women of reproductive age who are living in Kebribeyah district are the target population
        for this study. All non-pregnant women in the age range of 18-49 years living in three
        selected kebeles within the Kebribeyah district will be the study population. Our sample
        will be selected by systematic random sampling from a list of eligible women in the
        sampling frame. When there are two eligible women in the same household, one woman will be
        selected randomly.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      We will collect blood, urine, and stool samples from all study participants. We will analyze
      for genetic causes of anemia (hemoglobinopathies) from the blood samples collected.
    
Keywords: Etiology; Anemia; Hemoglobin; Women of reproductive age