Factors Associated with Iron Deficiency in Elementary School Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the leading cause of iron deficiency anemia and is a health problem for children in developing countries. School-age children are susceptible to iron deficiency because children’s growth and development require iron. Although iron is needed for children’s growth and development, iron also plays a role in cognitive function. Many factors cause iron deficiency in children. AIM: This study aims to determine the most dominant factor causing iron deficiency in elementary school children. METHODS: The design of this study was case-control, with a sample of elementary school children aged 9–12 years in the Tuah Negeri Subdistrict. After examining the serum iron, children were grouped into two groups, namely, iron deficiency and normal. Each group consists of 85 children, and the total sample is 170 children. Measurement of serum iron levels was done by spectrophotometric method, while data on children’s characteristics were obtained through questionnaires. In addition, nutritional status measurements were also carried out to determine whether the child was stunted, measurements based on TB/U, and Z-score was calculated using Anthro 1.02 software. Finally, the data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22. RESULTS: Based on the child characteristics data, 60% of children aged >10–12 years, 54.1% were female, and 23.5% of children were stunted. Data on the characteristics of parents obtained 67.6% of mothers and 74.1% of fathers with low education; 84.1% of mothers and 55.3% of fathers work as farmers, and 54.7% have low economic status. Bivariate results showed that two characteristic variables, namely, economic status (p = 0.003) and nutritional status (p < 0.001), were significantly related to the incidence of iron deficiency in children. The results of multivariate analysis showed that children with low economic status were at risk of 2.361 times (p = 0.011) of having an iron deficiency while stunting children were at risk of 6.785 times (p < 0.001) of having iron deficiency. CONCLUSION: Stunting is the dominant factor associated with iron deficiency in elementary school children in Tuah Negeri Sub-district.

Pengetahuan Remaja Putri Tentang Anemia di SMAN I Kecamatan Tanah Luas Kabupaten Aceh Utara

“…Didukung oleh hasil penelitian yang dilakukan Flora R [13] menyatakan bahwa pengetahuan remaja yang kurang tentang anemia mempunyai risiko 2,3 kali mengalami anemia. Pengetahuan remaja yang kurang tentang anemia dapat mempengaruhi perilakunya termasuk pola hidup dan kebiasaan makan.…”

Si Embul: Assesment In Baby And Children To Increasing Haemoglobin Level In 6-24 Months Children

“…In research conducted by (Flora et al, 2022), iron deficiency in Tuah Negeri District is strongly related to stunting in elementary school children. However, in a study conducted by Bahagia Febriani et al, 2020 stated that low birth weight and low zinc level are the risk factors that cause stunting, while calcium, ferritin, albumin and vitamin D, were not associated.…”

Edukasi Pemanfaatan Potensi Bahan Alam Lokal Sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Stunting Pada Masyarakat

“…dikonsumsi sebagai penambah nutrisi, bagi ibu hamil dan anak-anak yang sedang berkembang.Kegiatan pengelolaan kelompok masyarakat ini diharapkan dapat menambah wawasan ibu-ibu dalam menyesuaikan sumber makanan yang dapat diberikan kepada bayi agar tidak terhambat dengan menggunakan bahan-bahan terdekat yaitu daun kelor(Flora et al, 2022).…”