Background Anemia among children aged 6–23 months is a major public health problem worldwide specifically in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Anemia during the childhood period causes significant short-and long-term health consequences. However, there is a paucity of evidence on Anemia among children aged 6–23 months in SSA. Therefore, this study examined the individual- and community-level factors associated with anemia among children aged 6–23 months in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A secondary data analysis was done based on the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 32 sub-Saharan African countries. A total weighted sample of 51,044 children aged 6–23 months was included for analysis. We have used a multilevel proportional odds model to identify predictors of severity levels of anemia. Variables with p < 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable multilevel proportional odds model, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of the association. Results In this study, about 76.6% (95% CI: 76.2%, 76.9%) of children aged 6–23 months in sub-Saharan Africa were anemic. In the multivariable multilevel proportional odds model, being female, being aged 18–23 months, higher level of maternal education, being larger size at birth, belonging to a wealthier household, getting four ANC visits and above, advanced maternal age, and belonging to a community with high maternal education were significantly associated with lower odds of higher levels of anemia. On the other hand, being twin birth, being smaller size at birth, being of a higher order of birth, having fever in the last two weeks, and distance to a health facility were significantly associated with higher odds of higher levels of anemia. Conclusion The study found that more than three-fourths of children aged 6–23 months in sub-Saharan Africa were anemic. This finding proved that the severity levels of anemia among children in sub-Saharan Africa remain a serious public health concern. Therefore, to curve this problem enhancing maternal education, promoting maternal health service utilization, and improving health care access is crucial. In addition, health care providers better give special emphasis to twin births, higher-order birth, and those belonging to poor households to reduce the incidence of anemia among children aged 6–23 months in SSA.

Background Globally, infant mortality is a major public health concern and a sensitive indicator of countries' socio-economic and health status. Despite the substantial reduction of under-five mortality in sub-Saharan African countries specifically in East Africa, the infant mortality rate remains highest and too far below to achieve the WHO target. As to our search of the literature is concerned, there is a dearth of evidence on the incidence and predictors of infant mortality in East Africa. Therefore, this study investigated the incidence of infant mortality and its predictors in East Africa. Methods The present study has utilized 138,803 weighted samples from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) of 12 East African countries. Considering the hierarchical nature of DHS data shared frailty parametric survival models were fitted and compared based on deviance (-2LLR), AIC, and BIC. Gompertz gamma shared frailty model was the best-fitted model for the data since it had the lowest deviance, AIC, and BIC values. Variables with a p-value < 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable Gompertz gamma shared analysis, the Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare the significant predictors of infant mortality. Results The infant mortality rate in East Africa was 41.41 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged 25–34 years, wanted birth, health facility delivery, 1–3 ANC visit, being 2nd- 4th birth order, 5th and above, the birth interval of 24–48 months, and birth interval of 49 months and above were significantly associated with lower risk of infant mortality. Whereas women who didn’t have formal education, women who didn't participate in making health care decisions making, being male children, cesarean delivery, small size at birth, and large size at birth were significantly associated with a higher risk of infant mortality. Conclusion Despite the substantial progress in improving maternal and child health, this study showed that infant mortality is still a major public health concern in East Africa. Maternal age, place of delivery, maternal education, birth size, sex of the child, mode of delivery, women's autonomy, birth order, birth interval, and ANC visit were found to be significant predictors of infant mortality. Therefore, public health interventions enhancing health facility delivery, ANC visit, maternal education, birth spacing, and empowering women are crucial for reducing the incidence of infant mortality in East Africa.