Potential Contribution of Iron Deficiency and Multiple Factors to Anemia Among 6- to 72-Month-Old Children in the Kokang Area of Myanmar

Abstract

Abstract. The prevalence of anemia among children in Myanmar has been reported to be among the highest in the world. This study was conducted to determine 1) the prevalence of anemia in preschool children and 2) risk factors associated with anemia. A total of 138 children aged from 6 to 72 months were recruited through cluster sampling from six villages in Kokang. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, blood trace elements, and anthropometric indicators were measured. Feces samples were collected to examine for the presence of ascarid eggs. The overall prevalence of anemia in children was 61.6%, including 10.9% with severe anemia. Meanwhile, high prevalence of stunting (40.0%), underweight (22.4%), wasting (6.3%), and small head circumference (6.7%) was found. Children with anemia were more prone to stunting. Children with severe anemia and moderate anemia had significantly lower blood iron and zinc levels than children without anemia (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007). The prevalence of ascarid infection was 64.9%; however, it was not associated with anemia. Drinking spring water was positively associated with anemia (odds ratio [OR] = 6.368). This study demonstrated that anemia is an important public health problem among children from the Kokang area. Iron deficiency and drinking spring water may be the important causes of anemia among children.

Age‐specific risk factors for child anaemia in Myanmar: Analysis from the Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016

“…Mixed results have been reported for Myanmar. Socio‐economic variables did not predict women anaemia in a study using MDHS 2015–2016 data (Win & Ko, ) or child anaemia in the Kogang area (Zhao et al, ). However, another study found that maternal education and household income were associated with child anaemia in Kachin and Shan States (Zhao et al, ).…”

“…Child stunting and age were found to be independent determinants of child anaemia in the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anaemia study (Engle‐Stone et al, ). Drinking unboiled water, maternal anaemia, younger paediatric age, and stunting were major associates of child anaemia in the Kachin and Shan Special Regions (Zhao et al, ) and Kokang area in Myanmar (Zhao et al, ).…”

“…Many prior studies have analysed blood and Hb abnormalities in Myanmar (Wah, Yi, Khin, Plabplueng, & Nuchnoi, ). Epidemiological studies investigating the prevalence and determinants of anaemia have been conducted only in borderline refugee populations or subpopulations with a high risk of anaemia (Zhao et al, ; Zhao et al, ). However, based on recent data from the MDHS 2015–2016, anaemic factors for child at national level have been partially explored in study (Mya, Kyaw, & Tun, ).…”

Inappropriate Feeding Behavior: One of the Important Causes of Malnutrition in 6- to 36-Month-Old Children in Myanmar

“…According to previous studies, children in the investigated areas usually had limited food diversity and poor sanitation. 6,7 Introduction of CFs in resource-poor settings can result in diets that are nutritionally inadequate and microbiologically unsafe, leading to multiple nutrient deficiencies and the risk of exposure to foodborne pathogens, and, consequently, to gastrointestinal illnesses. 29,30 A higher prevalence of infectious disease (diarrhea and fever) in studied children who had been introduced to CFs earlier than 4 months of age was also explored.…”

“…5 Based on our previous work, chronic childhood malnutrition remains one of the most intractable public health problems in these areas, and the effects of humanitarian aid for enhancing the nutritional status of children are limited because of the complicated causes of malnutrition. 6,7 In addition, because of internal conflict, humanitarian aid, such as providing nutritional punch and relief food, is hard to continue for long periods. Some receptive and sustainable interventions urgently need to be explored and implemented.…”