A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region

Anemia is a global public health and nutrition problem. However, data on its prevalence and potential causal factors in the 22 countries of the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia region are not systematically collected, analyzed, and reported, leading to challenges in formulating appropriate preventativ...

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Main Authors: Jacky Knowles, Tamsin Walters, Amirhossein Yarparvar, Rebecca Brown
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Current Developments in Nutrition
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299124024119
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author Jacky Knowles
Tamsin Walters
Amirhossein Yarparvar
Rebecca Brown
author_facet Jacky Knowles
Tamsin Walters
Amirhossein Yarparvar
Rebecca Brown
author_sort Jacky Knowles
collection DOAJ
description Anemia is a global public health and nutrition problem. However, data on its prevalence and potential causal factors in the 22 countries of the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia region are not systematically collected, analyzed, and reported, leading to challenges in formulating appropriate preventative strategies. We examined available anemia prevalence data among different population groups through reviewing survey reports from 2010 to 2022; conducted a literature review to explore underlying determinants of anemia including iron deficiency; and collated and reviewed program and policy documentation across the region. Anemia prevalence data for the period 1999–2009 were also researched to examine trends in anemia prevalence in the region over the past 23 y. Nationally representative data for anemia for ≥1 population group since 2010 were found for half the 22 countries, whereas less than a quarter of countries had recent data for iron deficiency. There was a lack of evidence for other factors potentially contributing to anemia in the region. Where information was available, our findings highlight that anemia remained a problem of public health significance among girls and women 15–49 y old and preschool children in all countries with data; anemia was highly associated with iron deficiency; large discrepancies in anemia prevalence existed between geographical regions and subpopulation groups within countries; and only a few countries were implementing the recommended WHO strategies to prevent and control anemia. The paucity of recent, representative, data on anemia in many countries and on the etiology of anemia in most countries remain obstacles to ensuring that effective anemia prevention strategies are placed high on national agendas in the region.
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spelling doaj-art-c94c3d33db2d452ab9b336b77fa6a78a2025-08-20T02:35:30ZengElsevierCurrent Developments in Nutrition2475-29912024-12-0181210447710.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104477A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia RegionJacky Knowles0Tamsin Walters1Amirhossein Yarparvar2Rebecca Brown3NutritionWorks, Bristol, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.NutritionWorks, Bristol, United KingdomUNICEF, Sama Beirut, Beirut, LebanonNutritionWorks, Bristol, United KingdomAnemia is a global public health and nutrition problem. However, data on its prevalence and potential causal factors in the 22 countries of the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia region are not systematically collected, analyzed, and reported, leading to challenges in formulating appropriate preventative strategies. We examined available anemia prevalence data among different population groups through reviewing survey reports from 2010 to 2022; conducted a literature review to explore underlying determinants of anemia including iron deficiency; and collated and reviewed program and policy documentation across the region. Anemia prevalence data for the period 1999–2009 were also researched to examine trends in anemia prevalence in the region over the past 23 y. Nationally representative data for anemia for ≥1 population group since 2010 were found for half the 22 countries, whereas less than a quarter of countries had recent data for iron deficiency. There was a lack of evidence for other factors potentially contributing to anemia in the region. Where information was available, our findings highlight that anemia remained a problem of public health significance among girls and women 15–49 y old and preschool children in all countries with data; anemia was highly associated with iron deficiency; large discrepancies in anemia prevalence existed between geographical regions and subpopulation groups within countries; and only a few countries were implementing the recommended WHO strategies to prevent and control anemia. The paucity of recent, representative, data on anemia in many countries and on the etiology of anemia in most countries remain obstacles to ensuring that effective anemia prevention strategies are placed high on national agendas in the region.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299124024119maternal health and nutritionyoung child health and nutritionwomen of reproductive ageadolescent health and nutritionnutrition specificnutrition sensitive
spellingShingle Jacky Knowles
Tamsin Walters
Amirhossein Yarparvar
Rebecca Brown
A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
Current Developments in Nutrition
maternal health and nutrition
young child health and nutrition
women of reproductive age
adolescent health and nutrition
nutrition specific
nutrition sensitive
title A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
title_full A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
title_fullStr A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
title_full_unstemmed A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
title_short A Review of Anemia Prevalence, and Prevention and Control Strategies, in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region
title_sort review of anemia prevalence and prevention and control strategies in the eastern europe and central asia region
topic maternal health and nutrition
young child health and nutrition
women of reproductive age
adolescent health and nutrition
nutrition specific
nutrition sensitive
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299124024119
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