1. Anemia Women silent killer
Elizabeth proscovia Ndaba
Nutritionist
Ministry of Health Tanzania
Nov 22, 2018

2. Anemia has substantial negative effects on health and economic wellbeing of nations and communities
Globally, maternal anemia increases the risk of pre-term delivery and low birth weight
In children, it impairs cognitive development, stunt growth, and increase morbidity from infectious diseases
What is it?

3. Magnitude Almost half (45%) of Tanzanian women are anemic.
Overall, 58% of children are anemic.
Moderate and mild anemia is the most common form in women and children
Anemia is highest in children age 9-11 months
Magnitude

4. Causes Infections are a key cause of anemia – Malaria, hookworm
Insufficient iron stores
Inadequate intake of Iron rich foods
Other causes include malaria, hookworm, nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, and genetic conditions.
Causes

5. Trends

6. Reduce the prevalence of anemia among children age 6-59 months from 71
Reduce the prevalence of anemia among children age months from 71.8% in 2004/5 to 55%.
Reduce the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women from 48.4% in 2004/5 to 35%
Goals & Targets
About 8 in 10 pregnant women took iron tablets or syrup for prophylaxis of anaemia
- About three in five children age 6-59 months and 45% of women age are anaemic

7. For pregnant women - sleeping under a bed net and taking intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for malaria and deworming pills.
For infants, young children - delayed cord clamping, sleeping under a bed net, exclusive breastfeeding, and birth spacing
For young children - continued breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding (including micronutrients), preventing and treating malaria, and taking deworming pills
For adolescence - IFA supplements and deworming pills. Family planning delays the age at first birth.
Prevention

8. Multisectoral efforts
1. Agriculture
Production of biofortified and iron rich crops
Promotion of livestock and poultry keeping
2. Health
Iron Supplementation
Deworming
Malaria prevention and treatment
Promotion of IYCN + EBF
Delayed cord clamping
Family Planning
3. Education
Female literacy
Health education
Hygiene education
Family planning education
Nutrition education
4. WASH
Improved latrines and handwashing
Access to clean and safe water
Stunting and Anemia share similar risk factors and are responsive to many of the same interventions

9. Policies & Strategies 99

10. Asante sana