Anemia and its associated factors among children age 6 and 35 Months in sothwest rural Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a condition characterized by deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood, which can be either due to too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the cells that decreases oxygen caring capacity to the body. Anemia in children can be secondary to in adequate nutrition, chronic infection, chronic autoimmune conditions, and or primary blood disorder. It can impaired cognitive development, reduced growth, tiredness and weak immunity. Although preventive activities have been delivered through the routine health services since the development of the national micronutrient deficiency prevention and control guideline in 2005, there is no study that evaluated the magnitude of anemia and its predictors in the southwest region. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of anemia and its predictors among children age between 6- 35 months in south west rural Ethiopia. Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in south west rural Ethiopia among 552 children aged between 6-35 months from August 05 to September 05, 2015. The study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique after fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Socio demographic, environmental sanitation, child and maternal related characteristics were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Maternal and child anthropometric measurements and finger prick for blood sample were done. Hemoglobin value was measured using a Hemocue® photometer and samples were processed in the field (Hb 201, Hemocue AB, Angelholm, Sweden) and hemoglobin value 11g/dl adjusted for altitude was considered as a cut of point for anemia. Data was collected using smart phone using ODK (open data kit). Data cleaning and analysis was done using SPSS for windows version 21. Descriptive statistics was used to explain the frequencies and association between the dependent and independent variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of anemia. Statistical significance was declared at P values < 0.05. Result: Out of 664 children 552 children were participated in the study, giving a response rate of 87.06%. The prevalence of anemia and severe anemia were 29.9% and 1.4% respectively. Child age of 6-8 months (AOR=5.05, 95% CI: 2.397- 10.65), 9-11 months (AOR= 4.031, 95% CI: 1.698-9.57), and 12-17 months (AOR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.957-6.68), Ascaris infection (AOR=3.99, 95% CI: 1.19-13.34), child’s mother or caregivers having no primary or above education (AOR= 3.406, 95% CI: 3.406-5.97), mother who is moderately under nourished (AOR= 2.55, 95% CI: 1.17-5.51) and mothers age greater than 35 years (AOR=0.303, 95% CI: 0.128-0.715) were independent predictors of anemia among children age 6-35 months in south west rural Ethiopia. Conclusion: anemia prevalence was a moderate public health problem. Children at younger age, Ascaris infection, and maternal under nourishment were positive predictor of anemia, while, educational status of the mother/care giver were significant predictor of anemia among children age 6-35 months in South West rural Ethiopia.