Determinants of anemia among 6–59 months aged children in Bangladesh: evidence from nationally representative data

Abstract

BackgroundAnemia is a global public health problem but the burden of anemia is disproportionately borne among children in developing countries. Anemia in early stages of life has serious consequences on the growth and development of the children. We examine the prevalence of anemia, possible association between anemia and different socio-economic, demographic, health and other factors among children with ages from 6 to 59 months from the nationally representative 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS).MethodsData on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration among the children aged 6–59 months from the most recent BDHS (2011) were used. This nationally representative survey allowed a multistage stratified cluster sampling design and provided data on a wide range of indicators such as fertility, mortality, women and child health, nutrition and other background characteristics. Anemia status was determined using hemoglobin level (<11.0 g/dl), and weighted prevalence of childhood anemia along with 95 % confidence intervals were provided. We also examined the distribution of weighted anemia prevalence across different groups and performed logistic regression to assess the association of anemia with different factors.ResultsA total of 2171 children aged 6–59 months were identified for this analysis, with weighted prevalence of anemia being 51.9 % overall- 47.4 % in urban and 53.1 % in rural regions. Results of a multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, children below 24 months of age (odds ratio, [OR] 3.01; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.38-3.81), and those from an anemic mother (OR 1.80; 95 % CI 1.49-2.18) were at higher risk of anemia. Childhood anemia was significantly associated with chronic malnutrition of child, source of drinking water, household wealth and geographical location (defined by division).ConclusionsA high prevalence of anemia among 6–59 months aged children was observed in Bangladesh. Given the negative impact of anemia on the development of children in future, there is an urgent need for effective and efficient remedial public health interventions.

Anemia severity among children aged 6–59 months in Gondar town, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…This is in agreement with other studies [34, 42]. Besides, the odds of being anemic were higher for children who were in the age group of 6–23 months, which is consistent with studies done elsewhere [19, 33, 37, 39, 43]. The reasons for a high likelihood of being anemic in younger aged children may be due to different factors.…”

Determinants of anemia among women and children in Nepal and Pakistan: An analysis of recent national survey data

“…Age of child and being stunted were associated with a higher risk of anemia in children for both Nepal and Pakistan. This is consistent with a recent nationally representative study conducted in Bangladesh (Khan, Awan, & Misu, ). In Nepal, the prevalence of anemia was greatest among infants aged 0–5 months.…”

“…In Nepal, the prevalence of anemia was greatest among infants aged 0–5 months. Similarly, in Bangladesh, children aged 6–23 months carried a higher risk for anemia compared with children 24–59 months old (Khan et al, ). In Pakistan, children aged 12–23 months had the highest prevalence of anemia (72.5%) compared with children 36–59 months old (50.4%).…”

“…Not having improved sanitation in the home and poorer wealth index were determinants of anemia in Nepal and Pakistan, respectively. Similarly, nonimproved toilet facilities and water sources as well as poorer wealth index were all determinants of anemia in Bangladesh (Khan et al, ). Extensive research has demonstrated the link between indicators of socioeconomic status and nutrition (Adler & Ostrove, ; Adler et al, ), and it is well established that socioeconomics is an important determinant of anemia (Balarajan et al, ); thus, our findings reinforce the need for targeted efforts to focus on children from poor, hard to reach, and socially excluded households and population groups.…”

Present Prospectus of Malnutrition in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Review

“…As we know during prenatal third-trimester vitamin D supplementation (875 µg (35 000 IU)/week) appreciably ameliorated newborn vitamin D condition during the neonatal phase when the jeopardy of vitamin D deficiency is most [16]. Various works projected to find out the class of these micronutrients in local population have accounted that the people in Bangladesh are at soaring risk of hypovitaminosis D related health difficulties [17].…”