Magnitude of anemia and its contributing factor among school age children in Mihur Aklil district, Gurage zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Anemia during childhood impairs physical growth, cognitive development and
school performance. Identifying the causes of anemia in specific contexts can help to prevent
negative consequences of anemia among school age children.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of anemia and to identify its
contributing factor among school children in south Ethiopia.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted on 516 school age children on
their caretakers from March 2016 to April 2016 in Mihur aklil district, Gurage Zone, south
Ethiopia. Systematic simple random sampling technique was implemented to select students
from 13 primary schools, stool and blood sample were collected in health posts. Information on
the families’ socioeconomic conditions and the children’s health Variables were obtained
through interviews with parents or guardians. HemoCue 301 was used to determine hemoglobin
level. Direct stool examination using saline smear was used to investigate intestinal protozoa and
helminthes. Rapid diagnostic kit was also used for detection of malaria infection. Bivariate and
multivariate regression analysis was used to identify contributing factor for the development of
anemia. P value below 0.05 was considered for statistically significance.
Result: The overall prevalence of anemia was 21.71% (95% CI: 17.95, 25.07) children residing
in mild food insecure households (AOR=5.15, 95% CI: (2.45-10.82), moderate food insecure
(AOR=4.47, 95%CI: (1.38-14.48) and severe food insecure (AOR=11.71, 95% CI: (3.49-39.25),
and who had Ascaris lumbricods and hook worm parasites (AOR=2.64,95% CI:(1.18-5.92),
(AOR=4.75,95% CI:(1.87-12.05) respectively and infected with malaria (A0R=68.13, 95% CI:
(7.02- 660). showed strong odds of being anemic than their counter parts.
Conclusion: In conclusion anemia among school age children in this study is of moderate public
health significance. The magnitude of anemia was strongly associated with malaria, food
insecurity and intestinal parasite. It is recommended to include school age children in deworming
program and strengthen the nutrition specific and sensitive interventions to avert the
magnitude of anemia for studied children in the community
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Magnitude of anemia and its contributing factor among school age