Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors Among Children under the Age of Five Years in Goba Town, Bale, Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: - Anemia is the most widespread hematologic manifestation in children. According to the 2019, World Health Organization report, the prevalence of anemia was 39.7% and in Ethiopia, a 2016 report indicate that 56% of under 5 years children are anemic. However, a community based data were scarce and inconsistent in specific settings. Therefore, knowing the level of anemia and identifying the local factors will have important implications for health intervention programs aimed to tackle the burden of anemia. Objective:- To assess, the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among under 5 children in Goba Town during May 1 to July 30/2022. Methods: - Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Goba town using multi-stage sampling technique. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect house-to-house data using face-to-face by interviewing mothers/caretakers of children by oriented health team. Capillary blood was collected and examined for Hemoglobin level by using portable 301Hemocue® digital machines, while Malaria was examined microscopically (both thick & thin blood film) by oriented laboratory professionals. Additionally stool sample was collected, processed and tested for Intestinal Parasite (IP) by using wet mount and formol ether concentration technique. Anthropometric measurements of the child were also taken. All data were entered into Epi-Data software version 4.6 and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Both Bivariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of explanatory factors to the dependent variable. P value <0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant. Results: - The overall prevalence of anemia among a total of 347 under-five children engaged to the study was 23.3 %. Of this, 13.5 and 9.8% were mild and moderate anemia respectively. Conclusions: - The prevalence of anemia was categorized as moderate. Moreover, Age, early introduction of complementary foods (95% C.I: 1.007-5.95), intake of Cow milk (95% C.I:1.09-10.54), Coffee (95% C.I:1.108-6.042), Tea (95% C.I:1.04-6.24), wasted (95% C.I:1.55-8.81), stunting (95% C.I: 1.702-7.864), and Intestinal parasite, were the recognized factors significantly associated with anemia. Therefore, there should be nutritional supplementation at the Household level, in addition to creating awareness to women/caregivers about child feeding practices and time to start complimentary foods. Regular community based screening is required to prevent anemia.