A Review of the Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anaemia among Adolescents in Developing Countries

Table 1

Summary of studies included in the systematic review.

Study details	Year	Study design	Gender and age (years)	Sample size	Summary of results
Fentie et al. [31]; Ethiopia	2019	Cross-sectional	Girls; 14–19	528	Adolescent girls living alone (AOR = 4.430, 95% CI = 2.20–8.90), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.88–6.75), excessive menstrual bleeding (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.17–4.33), and low economic status (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.17–4.33) were positively associated with anaemia
Fage et al. [32]; Ethiopia	2017	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–19	493	Female adolescent (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.51–3.54), low educational status of adolescent (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.004–2.77), illiterate mothers (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.02–4.89), and low dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.12–4.86) increased odds of anaemia
Wiafe et al. [33]; Ghana	2019	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–14	137	Meal skipping (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.7–3.0), snacking (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.7–3.6), and adolescent with JHS education (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.7–4.0) were positively associated with anaemia
Gebreyesus et al. [34]; Ethiopia	2015	Cross-sectional	Girls; 10–19	1323	Early adolescents (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.03–3.82) and food insecure household (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.05–2.049) increased the risk of anaemia
Chalise et al. [35]; Nepal	2014	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–19	3780	Older adolescents (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.44–2.13), female adolescents (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.57–2.60), and walking barefooted (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.08–2.94) increased risk of anaemia
Shaka and Wondimagegne [36]; Ethiopia	2016	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–19	443	Early adolescents (AOR = 4.75, 95% CI = 1.69–13.35), large family size (AOR = 9.82, 95% CI = 2.42–39.88), adolescents living in rural areas (AOR = 4.37, 95% CI = 1.54–12.46), and lower meal frequency (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.42–7.45) increased the odds of anaemia
Ahankari et al. [37]; India	2014–2015	Cross-sectional	Girls; 13–17	1,010	Anaemia was associated with older adolescents (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.17–1.70)
Regasa and Haidar [38]; Ethiopia	2016	Cross-sectional	Girls; 10–19	448	Late adolescent (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI = 2.3–8.5), adolescents living in rural areas (AOR = 3.4 95% CI = 1.9–7.0), and menarche (AOR = 2.3 95% CI = 1.34–4.2) increased odds of anaemia
Agrawal et al. [39]; India	2014–2015	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–19	526	Religion (Muslim) (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.82–2.43), female gender (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3–2.7), illiterate mothers (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.62–3.24), vegetarian diet (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = 0.83–6.22), and occupation (student) (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.16–7.04) increased risk of anaemia
Thomas et al. [40]; India	2011–2013	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–18	200	Female gender (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 0.84–3.43), vegetarian diet (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.04–9.51), and history of worm infestation (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 0.96–4.50) contributed to anaemia
Nelima [41], Kenya	2015	Cross-sectional	Girls; 14–18	230	Inadequate iron intake (OR = 10.3, 95% CI = 5.2–20.37), late adolescents (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.46–4.96), malaria infections (OR = 5.38, 95% CI = 2.84–10.19), and parasitic infections (OR = 11.94, 95% CI = 2.71–52.57) were positively associated with anaemia
Ramzi et al. [42]; Iran	2011	Cross-sectional	Girls; 10–19	363	Parasitic infections (OR = 6.83, 95% CI = 1.66–28.11), large family size (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 0.91–5.52), and longer duration of menstruation (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 0.64–4.93) were associated with anaemia
Kaur et al. [43]; India	2000–2002	Cross-sectional	Girls; 13–19	630	Vegetarian diet (OR = 5.83, 95% CI = 3.73–9.13), excessive menstrual bleeding (OR = 5.65, 95% CI = 1.26–25.38), low iron intake (OR = 4.16, CI = 2.08–8.31), and history of worm infestation (OR = 4.11, CI = 1.70–9.93) increased odds of anaemia
Leenstra et al. [44]; Kenya	1998–1999	Cross-sectional	Girls; 12–18	648	Heavy menstrual bleeding (OR = 4.29, 95% CI = 1.46–12.64) and parasitic infections (OR = 2.01 95% CI = 1.02–3.98) were positively associated with anaemia
El Sahn et al. [45]; Egypt	1997	Cross-sectional	Both; 10–19	1,980	Low educational status (OR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.90–6.32), low socioeconomic status (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.13–1.81), and increased risk of anaemia

value is significant.