Determinants of iron status and Hb in the Bangladesh population: the role of groundwater iron

OBJECTIVE: Using data from the national micronutrients survey 2011-2012, the present study explored the determinants of Fe status and Hb levels in Bangladesh with a particular focus on groundwater Fe. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted at the nationwide scale. Settings The survey was conducted in 150 clusters, fifty in each of the three strata of rural, urban and slum. SUBJECTS: Three population groups: pre-school age children (6-59 months; PSAC), school age children (6-14 years; SAC) and non-pregnant non-lactating women (15-49 years; NPNLW). RESULTS: National prevalence of Fe deficiency was 10·7 %, 7·1 % and 3·9-9·5 % in PSAC, NPNLW and SAC, respectively. Prevalence of anaemia was 33·1 % (PSAC), 26·0 % (NPNLW) and 17·1-19·1 % (SAC). Multivariate regression analyses showed that…