Table 6.
Key characteristics and nutritional status indicators according to total anemia among Syrian refugee mothers.
| Variables a | Not Anemic | Anemic | Maternal Anemia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socio-economic and household characteristics (n = 433) | n = 334 | n = 93 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) c |
| Crowding index score | 3.6 ±1.5 | 4.1 ±2.0 | 1.2 (1.03–1.34) * | 1.09 (0.88–1.35) |
| Receipt of WFP food assistance (e-vouchers) | ||||
| No | 311 (94.0) | 77 (87.5) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Yes | 20 (6.0) | 11 (12.5) | 2.22 (1.02–4.83) * | 1.56 (0.55–4.44) d |
| Number of children < 5 years per household | ||||
| 1 to 2 | 188 (56.0) | 41 (45.1) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 3 to 4 | 115 (34.2) | 28 (30.8) | 1.12 (0.66–1.90) | 0.62 (0.28–1.39) |
| ≥5 | 33 (9.8) | 22 (24.2) | 3.06 (1.62–5.78)** | 1.73 (0.58–5.10) |
| Health characteristics of mothers (n = 433) | n = 334 | n = 93 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) c |
| Self-reported previous diagnosis with anemia | ||||
| No | 118 (35.6) | 20 (21.5) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Yes | 213 (64.4) | 73 (78.5) | 2.02 (1.17–3.48) * | 2.27 (1.14–4.52) * |
| Sources of health and nutrition messages | ||||
| Healthcare professionals exclusively e | 38 (11.3) | 22 (23.9) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Family, friends, media, and/or other | 219 (65.2) | 52 (56.5) | 0.41 (0.22–0.75) ** | 0.42 (0.19–0.94) * |
| Multiple sources f | 79 (23.5) | 18 (19.6) | 0.39 (0.19–0.82) * | 0.23 (0.08–0.66) ** |
| Anemia status among children (0–59 months) (n = 433) | n = 333 | n = 93 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) c |
| Total anemia (0–59 months) g | ||||
| Not anemic | 239 (71.8) | 56 (60.2) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Anemic | 94 (28.2) | 37 (39.8) | 1.68 (1.04–2.71) * | 2.67 (1.42–5.02) ** |
| Classification of anemia (6–59 months) (n = 318) | n = 242 | n = 75 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) c |
| Classification of anemia (6–59 months) h | ||||
| Not anemic | 165 (68.2) | 44 (58.7) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Mild anemia | 55 (22.7) | 22 (29.3) | 1.50 (0.83–2.72) | 4.40 (1.79–10.80) α |
| Moderate anemia | 22 (9.1) | 9 (12.0) | 1.53 (0.66–3.57) | 2.39 (0.72–7.97) |
| Nutritional status of non-pregnant mothers i (n = 356) | n = 273 | n = 79 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) j |
| Waist circumference | ||||
| Normal | 104 (38.1) | 20 (25.3) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| At-risk (>80 cm) | 169 (61.9) | 59 (74.7) | 1.82 (1.03–3.19) * | 3.05 (1.34–6.92) ** |
| Nutritional status of NPNLM (n = 152) | n = 111 | n = 40 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) k |
| Waist circumference | ||||
| Normal | 49 (44.1) | 8 (20.0) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| At-risk (>80 cm) | 62 (55.9) | 32 (80.0) | 3.16 (1.34–7.48) ** | 10.90 (2.74–43.38)** |
| BMI for the mother | ||||
| Normal weight | 46 (41.4) | 9 (22.5) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Underweight | 4 (3.6) | 3 (7.5) | 3.83 (0.73–20.13) | 13.39 (1.52–118.12) * |
| Overweight/Obese | 61 (55.0) | 28 (70.0) | 2.35 (1.01–5.45) * | 14.68 (3.22–66.96) ** |
| Consumption of coffee and tea (n = 375) | n = 294 | n = 81 | OR (95% CI) b | aOR (95% CI) c |
| Drinks coffee/tea between meals l | ||||
| No | 140 (47.6) | 35 (43.2) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Yes | 154 (52.4) | 46 (56.8) | 0.82 (0.48–1.39) | 0.87 (0.44–1.73) |
| Drinks coffee/tea during a meal m | ||||
| No | 140 (47.6) | 35 (43.2) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Yes | 154 (52.4) | 46 (56.8) | 1.20 (0.73–1.96) | 1.38 (0.73–2.62) |
NPNLM: Non-pregnant non-lactating mothers; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, α p < 0.001; a Categorical variables are expressed as n(%) and continuous variables are expressed as mean ± SD. Lack of corresponding sum of frequencies with total sample size is due to missing data. b Odds Ratio (OR) of the dependent variable (Anemic vs. Not Anemic (reference group)) are presented with 95% CI using simple logistic regression. c Adjusted OR (aOR) are presented with 95% CI using multiple logistic regression analysis. Model 2: adjusted for age of the mother and child, sex of the child, reproductive status of the mother (pregnant, lactating, or non-pregnant non-lactating), marital status, education and employment status of the parents, household monthly income, crowding index, UNHCR registration status, perception of safety, receipt of cash or food assistance, reliance on savings, household type, head of household, total number of under-five children, health insurance coverage, healthcare type, and sources of health messages. d Model 3: Model 2 without receipt of cash or food assistance. e Healthcare professionals included physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists. f Multiple sources include family, friends, media, other, and healthcare professionals. g Total anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 12.0 g/dL for LM and NPNLM, <11.0 g/dL for PM and children (6–59 months), and <10.5 g/dL for infants (0–5 months). h Anemia was classified as mild and moderate for LM and NPNLM (Hb 11.0–11.9 g/dL and 8.0–10.9 g/dL, respectively) and for PM and children aged 6 to 59 months (Hb 10.0–10.9 g/dL and 7.0–9.9 g/dL, respectively). i Non-pregnant mothers include lactating mothers and non-pregnant non-lactating mothers. j Model 4: Model 2 without reproductive status of the mother (pregnant, lactating, or non-pregnant non-lactating). k Model 5: Model 2 without the marital status, employment status of the father, UNHCR registration status, reliance on savings, and reproductive status of the mother (pregnant, lactating, or non-pregnant non-lactating). l Between meals is defined as two hours before or after a meal. m During the course of a meal is defined as during or one hour before or after a meal.