Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: January | Volume: 9 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 181-189
Anemia and Associated Factors among Drought Affected Children Aged 6-59 Months
Haji Aman Deybasso1, Shimeles Ololo Sinkie2, Ashenafi Habtamu Regesu3
1Lecturer & PhD fellow in Human Nutrition. Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia.
2Associate Professor, Jimma University, Department of Health Economics and Management Policy
3Lecturer at Arsi University Public Health Department, Ethiopia.
Corresponding Author: Haji Aman Deybasso
ABSTRACT
Background:- Ethiopia had been facing a massive drought worsened by the 2015 El Niño. However, there was paucity of data on prevalence of anemia where food insecurity was heightened due to climate shock.
Objective:-The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among drought affected children aged 6-59 months in Doddota District.
Methods: - A community based cross sectional study design was conducted using simple random sampling technique to select the study participants. A structured questionnaire administered to a mother/caregiver, blood sample and Anthropometric data were collected for each child. Bivariate and Multi-variable logistic regression analysis with odds ratio of 95 % confidence interval was used to assess the association between independent and dependent variables.
Results:- A total of 422 mothers/children were participated in the study. The overall prevalence of anemia was 48.3% [CI: 43.61, 53.10].The lowest mean haemoglobin level (10.2gm/dl) was observed among children age 6 to 11 months. Except for age group 36 to 47 months, there was a significant mean haemoglobin difference between lower age groups and children age 48 to 59 months(P-value <0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, children aged 6 to 11months[AOR= 9.2,(95%CI:3.57, 24.11)], children in rural areas [AOR =2.0,(CI:1.26, 3.27)],children of mothers with no education [AOR =2.7, (95% CI: 1.20, 6.15)],stunted children [AOR= 1.7, (95% CI: 1.01, 3.14)], and children with history of vaccination [AOR=0.10,(95% CI:0.12,0.79)] were found to have a significant association with anemia.
Conclusion: -The prevalence of anemia was high compared to WHO cut off points (>40%).Child age, place of residence, maternal educational level, stunting, and vaccination history were the predicting factors of childhood anemia.
Key words: Anemia, children, Drought, Doddota, Ethiopia