The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MHMI) together with UNICEF have completed the National Micronutrient Survey among Women and Children in Turkmenistan. The survey measured the prevalence and severity of anemia, iron deficiency, and other micronutrient deficiencies among children aged 6-59 months, non-pregnant women aged 15-49 years, and pregnant women aged 15-49 years in Turkmenistan.
The key findings from the survey are summarized below.
The prevalence of anemia has decreased among both non-pregnant women of reproductive age and children aged 6-59 months compared with the results of the National Micronutrient Surveys in Turkmenistan in 2008 and 2011.
Nevertheless, anemia remains a moderate public health concern in Turkmenistan. It affects 31.4% of children aged 6-59 months and 36% of women aged 15-49 years (35.6% non-pregnant, 37% pregnant). Severe anemia was rare (1.1% in children, 0.6% in non-pregnant women, and absent in pregnant women).
However, regional disparities are evident: anemia prevalence among children is highest in Balkan velayat (45%), classifying it as a severe public health risk, while non-pregnant women in Dashoguz and Ahal regions also experience anemia rates exceeding 40%, indicating severe risk. Iron deficiency (ID) was detected in 18.7% of children, with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) present in 17.1%.
Figure 1. Prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in examined children aged 6-59 months by region, 2023
Children aged 6-59 months are much more likely to have anemia if they also have micronutrient deficiencies – 5.4 times more likely with iron deficiency, 4 times more likely with vitamin A deficiency, and 1.4 times more likely with vitamin D deficiency. Similarly, children with anemia are 23.2 times more likely to have iron deficiency, 2.7 times more likely to have vitamin A deficiency, and 1.3 times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, highlighting the strong link between these deficiencies and anemia.
Figure 2. Prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and nonpregnant women of reproductive age
Anemia is more common than iron deficiency among non-pregnant women, but the gap is smaller in pregnant women. Among non-pregnant women, anemia is 3.5 times more likely with iron deficiency, 3.4 times more likely with folate deficiency, and 3 times more likely with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency and previous child births also contribute to higher anemia rates. These micronutrient deficiencies play a key role in anemia and should be prioritized in prevention and treatment programs.
- Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD): Found in 17.5% of children, 19.3% of pregnant women, and 13.9% of non-pregnant women, posing a moderate public health risk. The highest prevalence was among children aged 6-11 months (23.6%), significantly more than among older children (8.2%). VAD was more common in urban areas than rural ones. Vitamin A deficiency was higher in Mary (40.7%) than in Balkan (35.7%) region.
- Vitamin D Deficiency (VDD): a public health problem in Turkmenistan, affecting 48.9% of children aged 6-59 months, with higher rates among younger children (60.4% in those 6-11 months vs. 39.4% in those 12-23 months). Among women, 45.3% of non-pregnant and 38% of pregnant women had VDD. Given its high prevalence, comprehensive intervention strategies, such as giving children vitamin D supplements, fortifying food products with vitamin D such as vegetable oil and raising public awareness of VDD prevention measures, including by staying outdoors with an open face and hands, are necessary.
Folic Acid Deficiency (FAD): Found in 6.2% of children in Balkan velayat, significantly higher than in Mary (1.3%) and Ashgabat (1.4%), indicating regional disparities.
Micronutrient Supplementation
- 68.7% of children aged 6-23 months met the minimum dietary diversity criteria.
- 5.8% of children and women took iron supplements in the last six months, highlighting low supplementation rates.
- 54.9% of women took iron or folic acid supplements during their last pregnancy, but only 4.1% took vitamin A capsules.
While anemia prevalence has declined among non-pregnant women and children compared to 2008 and 2011, it remains a severe issue in Balkan, Dashoguz, and Ahal regions, particularly among women and children. Efforts should focus on targeted regional interventions. Strengthening iron, vitamin A, and vitamin D supplementation, expanding food fortification, and increasing awareness of dietary improvements are key to addressing micronutrient deficiencies nationwide.
