In a bivariate analysis, the study found that
anaemia prevalence was significantly affected by only two
(among several) factors: relative wealth ranking and radio
ownership. Poverty with its implications underlies most of
the anaemia cases39,40. Poverty reduces timely access to
accurate information. Poverty translates into limited access to
adequate and nutritious food at both household and individual
levels39. Further, foods that are rich in available iron (red
meats, organ meats, fish and poultry) are expensive and not
affordable to those in the lower ranks of society41. Strategies
for the prevention of anaemia among pregnant women and
other population groups must, therefore, be integrated with
poverty-reduction programs at household level.