Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among adolescents in Uganda: a cross-sectional analysis of a national survey.
4 affiliations
- 1National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Kampala, Uganda. [email protected].
- 2College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. [email protected].
- 3College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
- 4National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Kampala, Uganda.
Abstract
Background
Previous studies have reported high rates of anemia among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is unclear whether anemia rates have improved following temporal improvements in national investments by government and nutrition programs. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among adolescents in a nationally representative survey.Methods
This was a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and predictors of anemia in adolescents aged 10-19 years. We analyzed data from the Nutrition Module of the 2018/2019 Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) and included 1063 adolescents with hemoglobin measurements who participated in the 2018/2019 survey. We determined the proportion of adolescents (and 95% confidence intervals, CIs) with anemia using WHO cutoffs. We used bivariable followed by multivariable Poisson regression model with robust variance to determine associated factors. QGIS software was used for spatial analysis.Results
Of the 119,148 participants in the 2018/2019 UNPS dataset, 24,856 were adolescents, 1063 of whom had hemoglobin measurements were included in the analysis. Overall, 172 adolescents (16.2%, CI 14%-19%) had anemia, 124(11.7%) of whom had mild anemia, 43(4.1%) had moderate anemia, and 5(0.5%) had severe anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 1.77 [aPR 1.83, CI 1.39-2.41] times high in males than in females. Adolescents aged 15-19 years were 1.99 times [aPR 1.97 CI 1.48-2.61)] more likely to be anemic than adolescents aged 10-14 years. Helicobacter pylori infection positivity increased the prevalence of anemia (aPR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.35-2.58). There were no significant regional differences in anemia prevalence.Conclusion
The prevalence of anemia in adolescents remains high in Uganda and is possibly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Anemia was paradoxically more prevalent in males than in females suggesting a recent shift in burden. Anemia and Helicobacter pylori screening and prevention should be integrated into adolescent and school health programmes in Uganda and should equally target males and females.
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BibTeX
@article{jane2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among adolescents in Uganda: a cross-sectional analysis of a national survey.}},
author = {Nakitta Jane and Pamela Kihembo and Bridget Kabanyoro and Flaviano Mugalula and Hellen Nansumba and Dathan M Byonanebye},
journal = {BMC public health},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28722-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968040},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among adolescents in Uganda: a cross-sectional analysis of a national survey.
AU - Nakitta Jane
AU - Pamela Kihembo
AU - Bridget Kabanyoro
AU - Flaviano Mugalula
AU - Hellen Nansumba
AU - Dathan M Byonanebye
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - BMC public health
DO - 10.1186/s12889-026-28722-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968040
AB - Background Previous studies have reported high rates of anemia among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is unclear whether anemia rates have improved following temporal improvements in national investments by government and nutrition programs. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among adolescents in a nationally representative survey.Methods This was a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and predictors of anemia in adolescents aged 10-19 years. We analyzed data from the Nutrition Module of the 2018/2019 Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) and included 1063 adolescents with hemoglobin measurements who participated in the 2018/2019 survey. We determined the proportion of adolescents (and 95% confidence intervals, CIs) with anemia using WHO cutoffs. We used bivariable followed by multivariable Poisson regression model with robust variance to determine associated factors. QGIS software was used for spatial analysis.Results Of the 119,148 participants in the 2018/2019 UNPS dataset, 24,856 were adolescents, 1063 of whom had hemoglobin measurements were included in the analysis. Overall, 172 adolescents (16.2%, CI 14%-19%) had anemia, 124(11.7%) of whom had mild anemia, 43(4.1%) had moderate anemia, and 5(0.5%) had severe anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 1.77 [aPR 1.83, CI 1.39-2.41] times high in males than in females. Adolescents aged 15-19 years were 1.99 times [aPR 1.97 CI 1.48-2.61)] more likely to be anemic than adolescents aged 10-14 years. Helicobacter pylori infection positivity increased the prevalence of anemia (aPR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.35-2.58). There were no significant regional differences in anemia prevalence.Conclusion The prevalence of anemia in adolescents remains high in Uganda and is possibly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Anemia was paradoxically more prevalent in males than in females suggesting a recent shift in burden. Anemia and Helicobacter pylori screening and prevention should be integrated into adolescent and school health programmes in Uganda and should equally target males and females.
SN - 1471-2458
ER -