Age‐specific risk factors for child anaemia in Myanmar: Analysis from the Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016

Abstract

Anaemia is prevalent among preschool‐aged children in Myanmar, but few epidemiological studies of anaemia at the national level were reported. Using data from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016, we examined risk factors for anaemia at household, maternal, and individual levels for children aged 6–23 months (n = 1,133) and 24–59 months (n = 2,393) separately. Survey design and sampling weights were adjusted for in multivariate regression analyses. The prevalence of anaemia was 77.2% in children aged 6–23 months and 50.8% in those aged 24–59 months. Living in geographic zones other than the hilly zone was associated with a higher odds of anaemia in both age groups (OR = 1.86–2.51 [95% lower limit > 1.0]). Maternal anaemia predicted child anaemia in a dose–response manner in both groups (6–23 months of age, OR = 2.01, 95% CI [1.38, 2.92; mild] and OR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.12, 5.19; moderate]; and 24–59 months of age, OR = 1.42, 95% CI [1.12, 1.81; mild] and OR = 2.92, 95% CI [1.91,4.46; moderate]). A maternal age of 14–24 years (ref: 25–34 years, OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.06, 2.64]) and maternal tolerant attitude to domestic violence (OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.13, 2.31]) predicted anaemia in children aged 6–23 months only. Younger child age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.96, 0.98]), stunting (OR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.08, 1.69]) and using unimproved drinking water sources (OR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.10, 1.75]) were associated with anaemia in children aged 24–59 months. Consideration of age‐specific risks factors for child anaemia will help in planning anaemia control programmes in Myanmar.

Maternal health status and household food security on determining childhood anemia in Bangladesh -a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…The percentage of anemia is very high at the age interval 6 to 23 months which is in line with other study [ 35 ] and then the prevalence declines. At 6 to 23 months of age, the requirement for iron is high as the growth and development of the child peaks at this stage [ 36 ].…”

Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months, in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta analysis

“…The discrepancy might be due to methodology including sampling and quality of sample collection in demographic health surveys. Another study report in Myanmar reported that 77.2% of the children aged 6–23 month had anemia which is higher than this study finding [ 40 ]. Genetic, ethnic, and geographical lifestyle factors may all interact and can contribute for the discrepancy.…”

Factores asociados a la anemia en niños menores de cinco años de un distrito de Huaraz, Ancash

“…Sobre este último factor, se encontró que los niños menores de cinco años con acceso a servicios básicos incompletos tuvieron un OR de 2,7 (OR=2,72; IC 95%: 1,24-5,97), comparable con el estudio realizado por Kang et al (18) en un país del sudeste asiático, en el que encontró que no contar con fuentes de agua potable mejoradas generaba 1,4 veces mayor riesgo de que los niños puedan desarrollar anemia, además que se asoció con la alta probabilidad de padecer enteroparasitosis, otro factor muy asociado a la cronicidad de la anemia. (19,20) Rev Med Hered.…”