Factors associated with Hb concentration in children aged 6–59 months in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

In 1997, the prevalence of anaemia was 40·9 % among children aged 6 -59 months in the State of Pernambuco, north-east Brazil. Using the same sample of children, we have investigated possible reasons for this high prevalence. A representative sample was selected through a three-stage process: proportional systematic random sampling of municipalities in the State, systematic random sampling of census sectors within these municipalities, and finally, simple random sampling of households with children aged 6-59 months to obtain the sample of 650 children. Data collection included demographic, environmental, socio-economic and maternal variables, and nutritional status and dietary intakes of the children. Multiple linear regression analysis was based on a hierarchical model of factors associated with Hb concentration. The mean Hb concentration of children aged 6 -23 months was 10 g/l lower than that of older children. In the regression analysis, child age explained 8·3 % of the variance in Hb concentration. The intake of bioavailable Fe explained a further 3·3, serum retinol 2·7, diarrhoea 2·4, water treatment 1·7, sanitation 1·3 and low birth-weight 0·5 %. The final model explained 23·4 % of the variance in Hb concentration. We conclude that child age, bioavailable-Fe intake, serum retinol concentration, diarrhoea, water treatment, sanitation and low birth-weight are independently associated with Hb concentration. In north-east Brazil, anaemia prevention programmes among children should focus on those aged ,2 years and should consider feasible strategies to improve intakes of bioavailable Fe and vitamin A, and reduce infection. Supplemental Fe should be given to low birth-weight infants.

Prevalência da anemia e fatores associados em crianças de seis a 59 meses de Pernambuco

“…3,10 The association between mothers' schooling level and the care provided for to children has been greatly discussed in the literature, given that education has a relationship with the capacity to grasp the knowledge needed for adequate healthcare and nutrition for children, just as it provides a chance to enter the labor market and probably better socioeconomic conditions. 14,18,23 The results from the present study refl ect this relationship, through showing that the prevalence of anemia was lower among urban children whose mothers had been to school for more than eight years.…”

“…1,18,21 The results found indicated that the prevalence of anemia was more than 46% among the children whose households had lower scores for housing conditions and consumer goods in both the geographical areas studied, which suggests that this is a serious public health problem. a Greater numbers of children under the age of fi ve years in the household showed a statistically signifi cant association with anemia, in the urban area.…”

Iron status of adolescent girls from two boarding schools in southern Benin

“…Moreover, about 86 % of mothers were literate. Recently, researchers in Brazil and Benin have revealed that the lowest mean Hb concentrations were associated with fewer years of maternal schooling (11,38,39) . Moreover, in the present study, the majority of girls had a low consumption frequency of meat, poultry, legumes, vegetables and fruits.…”

Temporal trends and anaemia-associated factors in 6- to 59-month-old children in Northeast Brazil

“…A multiple regression analysis was done from a hierarchical conceptual anaemia model based on Osório et al (3) (Fig. 1).…”

“…In children, anaemia is often associated with low Fe concentration in the diet and with the rapid growth that occurs during the first year of life, also contributing to the insidious consequences that will affect the child's physical and cognitive development and will end up impacting the adult individual's performance at work (1)(2)(3) .…”