PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN LIVING IN ARBA MINCH HEALTH AND DEMOGRAPHIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM SITES (HDSS), SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA 2023 A COMMUNITY-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood anemia has severe impacts on physical, mental, and social development, both in short and long-term. Anemia is one of the most important public health problems on the international agenda, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries due to limited resources for diagnosing causes. Globally, nearly half of under-five children suffer from anemia, two third of whom are in Africa. Ethiopia's national food & nutrition strategy baseline survey (2023) showed the national anemia prevalence in under-five children was 16% and in southern Ethiopia it is 15%. Research in Ethiopia has revealed the prevalence of anemia in under-five year old children, however further studies are needed to gain insight into its causes in local settings. Investigating the associated factors and prevalence of anemia in a certain population is a key to tackling the problem. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among under five children living in Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance system Sites (HDSS), 2023. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 randomly selected under-five children with their mothers/caregivers who were living in Arba Minch HDSS from June to august 2023. Questionnaire was used to assess the sociodemographic, economic, nutrition, healthcare and environmental characteristics; hemoglobin was measured with HemoCue device. The analysis of Factors associated with anemia was assessed by using logistic regression and significance was determined at p-value <0.05. Results: A total of 332 under five children with their mothers/caregivers were participated in the study making a response rate of 98.5%. The overall prevalence of anemia among under five children was 31% (95% CI: 26.1, 36.3). Among anemic children, 29.13%, 68.93%, 1.94% of children were mildly, moderately and severely anemic respectively. Age of the child 5.86 (95% CI: 3.39, 10.10), poor household wealth tertile 3.98 (95% CI: 1.57, 10.07) and, altitude< 1500 meters 2.87 (95% CI: 1.29, 6.37) were identified as factors associated with under-five anemia. Conclusion and recommendation: Anemia is a moderate public health problem in the study area when considering children under-five years of age. Age, economic status, and altitude below 1500m were found to be associated with anemia in the study. To address this, health education on nutrition along with diagnosis and treatment of anemia targeted to the youngest children living in low-income households and higher altitudes should be implemented. Other researchers could conduct studies including a qualitative aspect to assess nutrition knowledge of the residents, and deep level laboratory analysis to differentiate the types of anemia.