Anemia, micronutrient deficiencies, malaria, hemoglobinopathies and malnutrition in young children and non-pregnant women in Ghana: Findings from a national survey

Wegmüller R, Bentil H, Wirth JP, Petry N, Tanumihardjo SA, Allen L, Williams TN, Selenje L, Mahama A, Amoaful E, Steiner-Asiedu M, Adu-Afarwuah S, Rohner F

January 2020 – PLOS ONE

The 2017 Ghana Micronutrient Survey (GMS) was conducted to document the current national prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, anemia, malaria, inflammation, α-thalassemia, sickle cell disease and trait, and under- and over-nutrition. The GMS was a two-stage cross-sectional survey that enrolled pre-school children (6–59 months) and non-pregnant women (15–49 years) from three strata in Ghana: Northern, Middle and Southern Belt. Nationally, 35.6% of children had anemia, 21.5% had iron deficiency, 12.2% had iron deficiency anemia, and 20.8% had vitamin A deficiency; 20.3% tested positive for malaria, 13.9% for sickle trait plus disease, and 30.7% for α-thalassemia. Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies were more prevalent in rural areas, poor households and in the Northern Belt. Stunting and wasting affected 21.4% and 7.0% of children, respectively. Stunting was more common in rural areas and in poor households. Among non-pregnant women, 21.7% were anemic, 13.7% iron deficient, 8.9% had iron deficiency anemia, and 1.5% (0.8,2.9) were vitamin A deficient, 53.8% were folate deficient, and 6.9% were vitamin B12 deficient. Overweight (24.7%) and obesity (14.3%) were more common in wealthier, older, and urban women. Our findings demonstrate that anemia and several micronutrient deficiencies are highly present in Ghana calling for the strengthening of Ghana’s food fortification program while overweight and obesity in women are constantly increasing and need to be addressed urgently through governmental policies and programs.