Iron deficiency anemia among children aged 2–5 years in southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common type of nutritional anemia in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. However, there is limited data on iron deficiency anemia prevalence and associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly for children aged 2 to 5 years. Objectives To establish the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and associated risk factors, focusing on iron-rich food consumption among children aged 2 to 5 years in southern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Ethiopia in 2017, involving 331 randomly selected children aged 2 to 5 years old. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information about the children and the households. Venous blood was collected from each child in a test tube to measure hemoglobin, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Hemoglobin levels were determined using Hemocue®301 and adjusted for altitude. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels <11 g/dl. Ferritin was adjusted for inflammation based on CRP concentration and low ferritin concentration defined as adjusted ferritin concentration <12 µg/L. IDA was considered when a child had both hemoglobin level <11g/dl and low ferritin concentration. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with IDA and iron-rich food consumption. Results The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 25%, and the total anemia prevalence was 32%. Only 15% of children consumed iron-rich foods in the preceding 24 h, and 30% of children consumed iron-rich foods at least once in the preceding week. IDA decreased as the height for age z-score increased (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.7; 95% CI [0.5–0.9]). Mothers with increased educational level (AOR 1.1; 1.0–1.2) and households with increased dietary diversity (AOR 1.4; 1.2–1.6) consumed more iron-rich foods. Conclusions Iron deficiency anaemia was a moderate public health problem in southern Ethiopia, and the iron-rich food consumption was low. Interventions should focus on food supplementation and fortification, food diversification and nutritional education, and promoting women’s education.

Dietary practices and nutritional status of young children in the former ensete monoculture dominated Sidama region, southern Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study

“…Besides, 27% of the children aged 0–24 months were anaemic and stunted. This relationship has recently been described by other child health studies from southern Ethiopia [ 48 , 49 ], which suggested looking at anaemia and stunting as syndemic needing similar preventive strategies. Another study done in India and Peru support our finding; positive association between linear growth failure and low haemoglobin level [ 50 ].…”

“…Ethiopia [48,49], which suggested looking at anaemia and stunting as syndemic needing similar preventive strategies. Another study done in India and Peru support our finding; positive association between linear growth failure and low haemoglobin level [50].…”

Đặc Điểm Lâm Sàng, Cận Lâm Sàng Và Một Số Yếu Tố Liên Quan Đến Thiếu Máu Thiếu Sắt Ở Bệnh Nhân Từ 2 Tháng Đến 60 Tháng Tại Bệnh Viện a Thái Nguyên

“…Theo nghiên cứu của Yiwen Huang tại tỉnh Hồ Châu, Trung Quốc, tỷ lệ thiếu máu của trẻ em nhóm tuổi từ 6-23 tháng là 59,1%, hơn 80% trẻ em bị thiếu máu là do thiếu sắt [6]. Một nghiên cứu cắt ngang dựa vào cộng đồng ở Ethiopia, tỉ lệ trẻ thiếu máu do thiếu sắt là 25% [7]. Theo báo cáo của Viện dinh dưỡng Quốc gia, tỷ lệ thiếu máu dinh dưỡng ở trẻ em dưới 5 tuổi năm 2015 là 27,8%, tỉ lệ thiếu sắt là 50,3% [8].…”

Magnitude and predictors of anemia among preschool children (36–59 months) in Atingo town, Jimma, Ethiopia

“…According to preliminary findings from a study of the incidence of anemia and its risk factors in preschoolers in some parts of Ethiopia, 9,16,18,19…”