Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Its Socio-Demographic and Reproductive Determinants among Antenatal Mothers in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Secondary Review (2001–2026)

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional disorder among pregnant women in Bangladesh, with national surveys estimating a prevalence of 41.7% among women of reproductive age and facility-based studies documenting rates as high as 95.84% among illiterate antenatal mothers. Despite a long-standing national iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation program, anaemia burden remains persistently high and is associated with serious maternal and neonatal consequences.This review synthesizes evidence from 50 peer-reviewed studies (2001–2026) to document the prevalence, severity, and multidimensional determinants of IDA among antenatal mothers in Bangladesh, and to derive evidence-based policy recommendations. A comprehensive narrative secondary review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, BanglaJOL, and icddr,b repositories. Fifty studies meeting pre-specified inclusion criteria — including cross-sectional surveys, national DHS analyses, prospective cohorts, and systematic reviews — were included and synthesized across eight thematic domains. Anaemia prevalence ranges from 38% in early pregnancy to 79% in the third trimester, and from 38.6% in semi-urban settings to 71% among illiterate women. The strongest independent risk factors identified were: irregular IFA supplementation (AOR = 4.28), poor dietary diversity (AOR = 3.76), fewer than four antenatal care visits (AOR = 3.45), low household income (AOR = 3.12), and rural residence (AOR = 2.68). Baseline moderate-to-severe anaemia in early pregnancy conferred an 11-fold higher risk of third-trimester severe anaemia (RRR = 10.78). Maternal anaemia was significantly associated with preterm birth (AOR = 2.03), early neonatal death (AOR = 1.87), and prolonged labor (AOR = 1.54). Anaemia among antenatal mothers in Bangladesh is a multidimensional public health emergency driven by poverty, educational inequity, IFA non-compliance, and inadequate ANC quality. A multisectoral national response integrating universal haemoglobin screening, enhanced IFA compliance, dietary counseling, and equity-focused service delivery is urgently required to meet Bangladesh's Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets by 2030.