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Table 5.10: Anaemia Status of Children
Percentage of children 6-59 months who have blood tested and who have anaemia, Afghanistan,
2010-2011
Sex
Percentage of children who
have anaemia
Number of children under 5 who
have blood tested
Male 32.7 3,058
Female 34.8 2,801
Residence
Urban 31.2 929
Rural 34.2 4,931
Region
Central 18.5 848
Central Highlands 19.8 172
East 42.9 671
North 50.1 946
North East 38.0 906
South 35.2 617
South East 19.3 897
West 35.6 800
Wealth index quintile
Poorest 36.0 1,319
Second 36.6 1,237
Middle 36.9 1,096
Fourth 28.2 1,180
Richest 30.0 1,027
Total 33.7 5,859
Overall, the prevalence of anaemia among children 6-59 months is 34%. Small differentials were
found between children living in urban areas (31%) and in rural areas (34%). Significant
differences among regions are observed, with the lowest prevalence found in the Central region
(19%) and the highest in the Northern region (50%).
W omen s Anaemia Prevalence
Women often become anaemic during pregnancy because the demand for iron and other
vitamins is increased. The mother must increase her production of red blood cells and, in
addition, the foetus and placenta need their own supply of iron, which can only be obtained
from the mother.
Anaemia in women aged 15-49 is defined as Hb concentration less than 12 g/dl for nonpregnant
women and 11 g/dl for pregnant women. In the AMICS, the blood test was
administered for women aged 15-49. Anaemia testing was done on a sub-sample of women in
the survey, whereby all women aged 15-49 in the odd number of clusters were selected for the
blood test. The same clusters were selected for both women s and children s anaemia tests.
Table 5.11 shows the anaemia prevalence among women aged 15-49 in Afghanistan.
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