ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the status of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and malnutrition in lactatingwomen.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: Six urban slum communities in Teklehaimanot district, Addis Ababa.Subjects: One thousand and seventeen lactating women were enrolled and assessed for theirhaemoglobin (Hgb), serum ferritin level and body mass index (BMI) during the month of March2001. Iron deficiency anaemia was considered when Hgb and serum ferritin concentrations wereless than 12gm/dl and 12 μg/l respectively, whereas, a BMI less than 18.5% kg/m2 was consideredmalnourished.Main outcome measures: Determinations of haemoglobin, serum ferritin and BMI measurements.Results: The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and protein energy malnutritionin the slum communities was 22.3% and 27.1% respectively. The mean age of mothers (28.4±6.12years) indicates that prevalence of malnutrition and iron deficiency anaemia was higher amongyounger mothers than among older mothers. The prevalence of malnutrition was positivelycorrelated with the serum ferritin concentration status, of the mothers (r=0.12, p=0.2, RR=1.03).Conclusion: It is observed that malnutrition and IDA are major health problems and therefore,an appropriate nutrition intervention package to improve the nutrition situation of the communitiesis recommende
