Livestock ownership is associated with higher odds of anaemia among preschool‐aged children, but not women of reproductive age in Ghana

Abstract

Livestock ownership may influence anaemia through complex and possibly contradictory mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to determine the association of household livestock ownership with anaemia among women aged 15–49 years and children aged 6–59 months in Ghana and to examine the contribution of animal source foods (ASFs) to consumption patterns as a potential mechanism mediating this association. We analysed data on 4,441 women and 2,735 children from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and 16,772 households from the Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 6. Haemoglobin measurements were used to define anaemia (non‐pregnant women: <120 g/L; children: <110 g/L). Child‐ and household‐level ASF consumption data were collected from 24‐hour food group intake and food consumption and expenditure surveys, respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, household livestock ownership was associated with anaemia among children (OR, 95% CI: 1.5 [1.1, 2.0]), but not women (1.0 [0.83, 1.2]). Household ownership of chickens was associated with higher odds of anaemia among children (1.6 [1.2, 2.2]), but ownership of other animal species was not associated with anaemia among women or children. In path analyses, we observed no evidence of mediation of the association of household livestock ownership with child anaemia by ASF consumption. Ownership of livestock likely has limited importance for consumption of ASFs among young children in Ghana and may in fact place children at an increased risk of anaemia. Further research is needed to elucidate if and how pathogen exposure associated with livestock rearing may underlie this increased risk of anaemia.

Assessing the Impact of Animal Husbandry and Capture on Anemia among Women and Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

“…Ahenkorah et al ( 38 ) observed that the odds of anemia were twice as high among Ghanaian pregnant women exposed to domestic livestock compared to those not exposed. In contrast, Jones et al ( 46 ) found no association between livestock ownership and anemia among non-pregnant Ghanaian women in models adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics of women, access to improved water and sanitation, and malaria prevention strategies. Jones et al ( 46 ) also analyzed the association of ownership of specific livestock species with anemia among women and found no associations.…”

“…In contrast, Jones et al ( 46 ) found no association between livestock ownership and anemia among non-pregnant Ghanaian women in models adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics of women, access to improved water and sanitation, and malaria prevention strategies. Jones et al ( 46 ) also analyzed the association of ownership of specific livestock species with anemia among women and found no associations. Conversely, Flores-Martinez et al ( 42 ) found better anemia outcomes among women who lived in sheep- and goat-owning households in Afghanistan, but worse outcomes with chicken ownership, adjusting for household and maternal characteristics, pregnancy status, water source, and region.…”

Livestock ownership, household food security and childhood anaemia in rural Ghana

“…Ownership of any livestock and the number of free-range poultry, corral chickens, sheep, goats, and pigs owned by households served as the primary independent variables. Guided by existing evidence on factors that influence the anaemia status of children, we controlled for selected sociodemographic characteristics [9, 21, 22]. Using a food frequency questionnaire, caregivers were asked about children’s dietary intake in the week prior to the interview.…”

“…Such enhanced food security is linked with improved intake of micronutrients, including iron, which is essential for preventing iron deficiency anaemia [8]. Ironically, the presence of household animals may also increase the likelihood of certain infections that elevate anaemia risk, particularly among young children [9]. The potential linkages among household livestock ownership, household food security, and anaemia in children are complex and potentially contradictory.…”

“…The above notwithstanding, few studies have explored the relationship between livestock ownership, infections, and anaemia in concert with household food security [12, 13]. Two recent studies by Kaur et al (2017) and Jones et al (2018), have explored the nexus between household livestock ownership, infections, and child health outcomes [9]. Both studies analysed Demographic and Health Survey data, with the former concluding that in sub-Saharan African countries, livestock may simultaneously protect against child stunting but increase the risk of all-cause mortality in children [14].…”