Anaemia is an important public health problem worldwide, particularly among women of reproductive age. A substantial portion of this anaemia burden is assumed to be due to iron deficiency. The consequences of anaemia resulting from iron deficiency during the postpartum period (six weeks after child birth) can be serious and have long-term health implications for the mother and her child.

There are limited data on the global prevalence of postpartum anaemia. Studies conducted in high-income countries have reported that 10–30% of postpartum women were anaemic. As anaemia is a common problem throughout the world, the prevalence of postpartum anaemia in low- and middle-income countries may be higher.

WHO recommends daily or intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation as a public health intervention for adult women and adolescent girls living in settings where anaemia is highly prevalent. In the postpartum period, iron and folic acid supplementation may also reduce the risk of anaemia by improving iron status of the mother, including in settings where malaria is endemic.