Prevalence of dietary iron deficiency anaemia and the years lived with disability in Ethiopia, from 1990 to 2023: a subnational analysis for the Global Burden of Diseases Study
Sebsibe Tadesse, Kebede Embaye Gezae, Anteneh Berhane, Musa Jemal, Zufan Tessema, Abadi Hailay Atsbaha, Gelgelo WodessaBackground
Dietary iron deficiency anaemia affects physical capacity, cognition and productivity, especially among people living in low- and middle-income countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. However, limited evidence is available on its subnational distribution by sex and age in Ethiopia. This study determined the prevalence of dietary iron deficiency anaemia and the years lived with disability in Ethiopia from 1990 to 2023.
Methods
Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases 2023 study. A Bayesian meta-regression tool for disease modelling was employed to estimate the prevalence and years lived with disability by integrating data from national surveys, administrative records and published studies. Spatial and temporal trends were analysed and regional heterogeneity was explored. Estimates were age-standardised per 100 000 population and presented with their 95% uncertainty intervals.
Results
There were a total of 25.5 million prevalent cases (95% UI 19.7 to 33.0) and 793 314 years lived with disability (95% UI 432 254 to 1 409 393) from dietary iron deficiency anaemia in Ethiopia in 2023. The equivalent age-standardised rates were 21 113.7 prevalent cases per 100 000 population (95% UI 15 971.4 to 27 314.2) and 626.7 YLDs per 100 000 population (95% UI 332.4 to 1143.7). Except among females in Somali, there were no significant disparities in the distribution of the rates subnationally. Children, women of reproductive age and older people were disproportionately affected. From 1990 to 2023, trends in the rates were stable across the country.
Conclusion
Dietary iron deficiency anaemia continued to impose a substantial health burden in Ethiopia, with women of reproductive age, young children and older people the most affected and stagnant trends over the past three decades. Targeted interventions, such as iron supplementation, dietary diversification and food fortification, alongside improved programme coverage and monitoring, are essential for achieving meaningful reductions in morbidity and disability due to anaemia by 2030.