Meta-analysis on prevalence of anemia in Zhejiang

ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of anemia in Zhejiang province and provide evidences for the regular evaluation of anemia prevalence.

MethodsA Meta-analysis was conducted by using the health surveillance or examination data in children and adolescents aged 6–17 years collected from maternal and child health care system and the health examination data and some electronic health records in adults aged 18–59 years and the elderly aged ≥60 years in 22 counties or districts in Zhejiang. Software Stata was used to calculate the prevalence rate of anemia in different age groups. Sensitive analysis was also conducted.

ResultsOverall, 8.00% of target population was covered in this study. The prevalence rate of anemia was 12.53% (95% CI: : 9.27%–15.79%) in Zhejiang. The prevalence were 7.62% (95% CI: 6.16%–9.07%), 11.41% (95% CI: 6.22%–16.60%), 11.19% (95% CI: 7.99%–14.40%), 19.49% (95% CI: 14.17%–24.81%) respectively in age groups ≥6 months, 6–17 years, 18–59 years and ≥60 years. The sensitive analysis indicated that after removal of data of 1–2 districts with smallest sample size prevalence the prevalence rates of anemia were 7.76% in age group ≥6 months (95% CI: 6.23%–9.29%), 11.35% in age group 6–17 years (95% CI: 5.29%–17.41%), 11.53% in age group 18–59 years (95% CI: 7.97%–15.08%) and 18.50% in age group ≥60 years (95% CI: 12.65%–24.35%), similar to the results before the removal.

ConclusionMete-analysis can be used in the regular evaluation of anemia prevalence in population by using routine surveillance and report data in primary public health institutions. Anemia remains a mild public health problem in different populations in Zhejiang, but in the elderly population it has almost become a moderate public health problem. It is still necessary to expand the surveillance coverage of anemia in school aged children and adolescents.