Anemia and associated factors among adolescent girls and boys at 10-14 years in rural western China

Abstract

Background: Evidence on the anemia and associated factors among young adolescent girls and boys in rural western China is limited.Methods: We used data from a follow-up study of adolescents (10-14 years) born to women who participated in a randomized trial of antenatal micronutrient supplementation in western China. Anemia was defined by World Health Organization standards. Logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors with anemia.Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 11.7% (178/1517). Female adolescents were 1.73 (95% CI 1.21, 2.48) times more likely to have anemia as compared to males. Adolescents whose mothers had completed high school were 65% (95% CI 7%, 87%) less likely to be anemic, compared with those of whom had <3 years. Household wealth was also inversely associated with anemia. The association of puberty status with anemia was modified by adolescent sex (p-value for interaction was 0.04): males with greater than mild puberty development had 65% (95% CI 17%, 85%) reduced odds of anemia while there was no association among females (OR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.29, 1.78). Consumption of flesh foods, eggs, and having a meal frequency of three times or more per day were associated with 42% (95% CI 11%, 62%), 40% (95% CI 7%, 62%) and 32% (95% CI 4%, 52%) reduced odds of anemia, respectively.Conclusions: Anemia is a mild public health problem among young adolescents in rural western China. Nutritional and social determinants were identified as predictors, warranting interventions to reduce the risk of anemia among this critical age group.

Spatial distributions and determinants of anaemia among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: a secondary analysis of EDHS 2016 – a cross-sectional study

“…The odds of having anaemia among adolescent girls who lived in high-altitude areas (ie, altitudes greater than 2000 m above sea level) were higher than their counterparts. This result is in agreement with previous studies done in India,42 sub-Saharan Africa,43 China36 and Ethiopia 31 39 44. This is because in areas with high altitudes agricultural products were relatively low, which could increase the risk of being anaemic.…”

“…However, the finding of this study was higher than the studies conducted in western China (14.4%)36 and Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia (11.1%). The possible explanation might be related to the economic status of the population, education access, youth-friendly services, and water and sanitation services were good in China 37.…”

Burden of anemia and its underlying causes in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…Although there is no definitive explanation for this phenomena, it may be that the hormonal effects on erythropoietin activity and the higher pre- and postnatal growth rate may play a role in the increased susceptibility of male children to anemia [ 28 , 29 ]. Conversely, other studies have demonstrated girls to have higher rates of anemia than boys [ 31 , 32 ]. Reverse causation may partly explain the relationship between anemia in boys and girls.…”

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“…Besides lack of knowledge, low financial status, female gender and limited usage of eggs, flesh food and milk products as well consumption of meal 1-2 times /day may increase the risk of development of anemia. 22 One of the study reported that Indian girls in their adolescent age have a habit to use food rich in vitamin with less amounts of protein in comparison with boys. 23 Levels of fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance were increased in cases as compared to controls.…”