Anemia and associated factors among school-age children in Filtu Town, Somali region, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia is one of the major public health problems affecting more than half of school-age children in developing countries. Anemia among children has been conclusively seen to delay psychomotor development, poor cognitive performance, impaired immunity and decrease working capacity. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among school-age children in Filtu Town, Somali region, Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August, 2013 in Filtu Town. A total of 355 school-age children between 5–15 years old were included in the study. Socio-demographic data were obtained from each participant using structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin concentration was determined by HemoCue 201+ photometer (HemoCue, Angelholm, Sweden) analyzer. Hemoglobin values below 11.5 g/dl and 12 g/dl were considered as anemic for age ranges of 5–11 and 12–15 years, respectively. Anthropometric data were taken from each study participant. Peripheral blood film and stool examination were done for hemoparasite and intestinal parasite screening, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0.ResultsOver all, prevalence of anemia was found to be 23.66%. The vast majority (73.81%) of the anemic children had mild anemia. Moderate and severe anemia accounted for 25% and 1.19% of the anemic children, respectively. Being from a family with low income (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI: 2.88, 30.99), stunted (AOR = 5.50, 95% CI: 2.83, 10.72), underweight (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.05) and having intestinal parasite infection (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.05, 8.46) were identified as associated factors for anemia.ConclusionAnemia is a moderate public health problem in school-age children for the study area. Interventions targeting nutritional deficiencies and parasitic infections are recommended.

Clinical study of anemia in rural school children of Mangalore, Karnataka, India

“…12 Other studies done by Sudhagandhi et al, and Bekele et al, found that the prevalence of anemia was higher in females. 9,13 Socioeconomic Status: present study showed that incidence of anemia was high in class IV (upper lower) children (26.3%) followed by class III (lower middle) children (19.6%) and class II (upper middle) children (13.5%). Similar finding was recorded by Jain et al, in a study done in Uttarakhand which showed that anemia was more common in lower socio-economic class (90.6%) and 37.5% in class III and Class II.…”

“…Children which belonged to 5 to <12 years were 237 (43.1%) and ≥12 to <15 years were 313(56.9%) 52.9% were males and 47.1% were females. The overall prevalence of anemia in the study group (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) years is 20.7% (114), of which the prevalence in 6 to <12 years age group was 23.6% (56) and ≥12 to <15-year age group was 18.5% (58). There was no significant difference between both the age group.…”

“…12 Almost similar result was found in a study done by Bekele et al, with a prevalence of anemia being 23.66%. 13 A study conducted in Kattankulathur by Sudhagandhi et al, found the prevalence of anemia to be 52.88%. 9 Similarly 37.6% prevalence of anemia was found in Assefa et al 14 In present study prevalence rate was lesser than the latter two studies, the reason being regular deworming and Iron and Folic acid supplementation by the school authorities.…”

“…Similar result was found in study done by Assefa et al 14 In a study conducted by Bekele et al, higher prevalence of anemia was found to be 25.95% in 5-12year, 13.5% in >12-15 year among 5-11 year of aged school children. 13…”

Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Basophilic Stippling Erythrocytes in Children

“…Theoretically, families with high income levels will be better able to provide for their daily needs, including the need for food, whereas with a low monthly household income the possibility of a child and other family members not getting food rich in sufficient iron and the diet of children living in families with less economics are usually monotonic (Gutema, 2014). …”