Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia among Children Aged between 6 Months and 14 Years in Kenya

Abstract

BackgroundAnaemia is one of the significant public health problems among children in the world. Understanding risk factors of anaemia provides more insight to the nature and types of policies that can be put up to fight anaemia. We estimated the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in a population-based, cross-sectional survey.MethodologyBlood samples from 11,711 children aged between 6 months and 14 years were collected using a single-use, spring-loaded, sterile lancet to make a finger prick. Anaemia was measured based on haemoglobin concentration level. The generalized linear model framework was used to analyse the data, in which the response variable was either a child was anemic or not anemic.ResultsThe overall prevalence of anaemia among the children in Kenya was estimated to be 28.8%. The risk of anaemia was found to decrease with age progressively with increase in each year of age; children below 1 year were at highest risk of anaemia. The risk of anaemia was significantly higher in male than female children. Mothers with secondary and above education had a protective effect on the risk of anaemia on their children. Malaria diagnosis status of a child was positively associated with risk anaemia.ConclusionControlling co-morbidity of malaria and improving maternal knowledge are potential options for reducing the burden of anaemia.

Assessment of the Prevalence of Anaemia and Associated Risk Factors among Children Under Five Years in rural communities ofthe Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

“…This finding is inconsistent with a study conducted in Kenya, which revealed thatanaemia was significantly higher in male than female children (p<0.001) [5].In the current study, though there was no significant association, children aged 48 to 59 months compared to those less age 6-11 months were 61% times less likely to develop anaemia as compared to the children aged 6-11 months (AOR=0.39, p=0.061). This finding is consistent with a study conducted in Haiti where children under 24 months were 2.6 times more likely to develop anaemia as compared to the older age (OR=2.6;P<0.001) [18].Another study conducted in Brazil also reported that children aged 24-35, 36-47 and 48-59 months were 0.61, 0.49 and 0.41 times less likely to develop anaemia [17].Another study conducted in North eastern Brazil also revealed that there was a significant association between children aged (6 to 23 months) and anaemia p<0.001) [8].The dietary sources of iron are very important to keep up with the rapid rate of red blood cell synthesis, since anaemia may result if thedietary sources are inadequate [8,20].…”

“…In the current study, children who tested negative for malaria parasitaemia were75% times less likely to develop anaemia (AOR=0.25, p<0.001). A study conducted in Kenya revealed thatthere was a significant association between malaria and anaemia and children were 4 times more likely to be prone to anaemia(p<0.001) [5].…”

“…The prevalence of mild and moderate anaemia may attribute to mortality risk [4]. Anaemia in children is of particular interest since it impairs their mental, physical and social development, causes low immunity, negative behavioural and cognitive effects resulting in poor school performance and work capacity in later life, thereby reducing earning potential and damaging national economic growth in the future [2,5].…”

“…The aetiology of anaemia is multifactorial. Studies have shown that low iron diet intake and malaria are commonly known to be associated with anaemia [5].Other factors associated with anaemia are parasitic infections (hookworm and tapeworm), acute or chronic inflammations, inherited or acquired disorders that affect Haemoglobin synthesis, red blood cell production or red blood cell survival and nutritional deficiencies [6].Socio-economic factors may also affect the risk of anaemia by affecting the nutritional status, family size and birth interval, as well as intensifying problems of affordability and accessibility of preventive and curative measures [7].In the developing countries, insufficient dietary iron is considered the primary cause of anaemia in children. However, factors such as early weaning, poor health of pregnant women, unsafe drinking water, inadequate hygiene and sanitary conditions, and poverty may contribute to the development of anaemia [3].…”

3D printed auto-mixing chip enables rapid smartphone diagnosis of anemia

“…Anemia often causes high fetal mortality and abnormalities, premature deaths, low birth weights for infants, and retarded brain development, which affects over half of pre-school children and pregnant women in developing countries. 33,34 Although anemia screening is highly recommended for infants and pregnant women by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and other developing countries, the bottleneck in control of anemia falls on the accessible screening tools needed to eliminate distance barriers. 35 Clinical diagnosis of anemia by measuring blood hemoglobin (Hgb) levels in rural areas or low-income countries is facing substantial logistic challenges, due to the difficulties in maintaining frequent and costly medical visits.…”