Anemia and Associated Factors Among Under Five Children at AsellaTeachingand Referral Hospital, Ethiopia
Bekele Gutema Waye,
Getahun Megersa
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
13-18
Received:
5 October 2020
Accepted:
20 October 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Anemia is a condition which results from a reduction in hemoglobin concentration or reduction in red blood cell number or both which resulting in lower ability of oxygen delivery to support the body’s activities. It is a wide spread public health problem and has a significant cause of childhood mortality and (WHO) considers anemia prevalence over 40% as a major public health problem, between 20 and 40% as a moderate public health problem, and between 5 and 20% as a mild public health problem. The high prevalence of anemia has its negative consequences for children’s health, especially for their growth and development of their mental, physical and social development. It also causes negative behavioral and cognitive effects which resulting in poor school performance and work capacity in later years as different studies indicated. The Objectives of the study is to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factor among under five children attending pediatrics outpatient department in Asella teaching and referral Hospital June 2018 to September 30 2018. Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted by non- probability convenience sampling technique, 338 children was selected. The results of the study showed that, the overall prevalence of anemia among under five children were 36.3%, around 21 (6.2%) of them were found to be severely anemic, whereas 37 (10.9%) were moderately anemic. Factors like child’s age [AOR=2.00, 95%CI (1.15, 2.61)], birth intervals [AOR=2.25, 95%CI (1.91, 6.94)], sex of the children, being stunting [AOR=2.50, 95%CI (2.00, 3.10)] and wasting [AOR=1.52, 95%CI (1.40, 3.66)], infected with malaria parasites [AOR=1.12, 95%CI (1.00, 1.40)], were associated with anemia. Anemia remains a common health problem in the study area among under five children and further studies are needed to focus on etiologies and interventions.
Abstract: Anemia is a condition which results from a reduction in hemoglobin concentration or reduction in red blood cell number or both which resulting in lower ability of oxygen delivery to support the body’s activities. It is a wide spread public health problem and has a significant cause of childhood mortality and (WHO) considers anemia prevalence over 4...
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