Anaemia Among Women in Lesotho: Findings From 2023 to 2024 Demographic and Health Survey

Anaemia remains a severe public health concern worldwide, with more women of reproductive age being affected, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Anaemia affects an estimated 613.2 million women of reproductive age (15-49 years) globally. The burden is disproportionately concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), regions that consistently record the highest anaemia prevalence worldwide. The study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with anaemia among reproductive-age women in Lesotho.

This study used cross-sectional data from the 2023-2024 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) conducted by the Ministry of Health. The analysis included 3,105 women aged 15-49 years with complete haemoglobin measurement. Data were collected from November 27, 2023, to February 29, 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of anaemia. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the factors associated with anaemia, and the results were presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

The overall prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age in Lesotho was 53.7% [95% CI = 51.2-56.2]. The odds of anaemia were significantly highest among those aged 45-49 (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.17-2.70). Married or cohabiting women had lower odds of anaemia than those never in union (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.40-0.74). Women who had given birth once had lower odds of anaemia than nulliparous women (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.46-0.89). Women for whom obtaining money needed for healthcare was not a problem had lower odds of anaemia than those who reported it as a big problem (AOR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.57-0.93). Women in Quthing (AOR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.39-0.91) and Qacha's Nek (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.39-0.95) had lower odds of anaemia than those in Butha-Buthe.

Anaemia remains a severe public health problem among women of reproductive age in Lesotho. Age, marital status, parity, financial access to healthcare, and region of residence were associated with anaemia. Public health interventions addressing socioeconomic barriers and improving access to healthcare services may contribute to reducing the burden of anaemia among women in Lesotho.