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Description

Anemia is one of the major public health issues among women of reproductive age as it leads to high maternal and infant morbidity, and mortality mainly in low-middle income countries. Around 528.7 million (29.4%) women of reproductive age are anemic, of which 20.2 million women are severely anemic. South-East Asia demonstrates a high burden of anemia among women (41.9%), followed by African and Eastern Mediterranean regions with a prevalence of 41.9% and 37.8%, respectively. Anemia can lead to multiple adverse consequences by impairing oxygen delivery to the fetus resulting in intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirths, preterm births, low birth weight and neonatal deaths.