Anaemia in Bangladesh: a review of prevalence and aetiology

OBJECTIVE: : This paper provides a comprehensive review of the changes in the prevalence and the extent of anaemia among different population groups in Bangladesh up to the present time. The report also focuses on various factors in the aetiology of anaemia in the country. DESIGN AND SETTING: : All the available data have been examined in detail, including data from national nutrition surveys, as well as small studies in different population groups. RESULTS: : Over the past three decades a number of studies including four national nutrition surveys (1962/64; 1975/76; 1981/82 and 1995/96) have been carried out to investigate the prevalence of anaemia among different population groups in Bangladesh, and have demonstrated a significant public health problem. Since the…