Magnitude, Severity and Associated Factors of Anemia Among Under- Five Children Attending Hawassa University Teaching and Referral Hospital and Adare Hospital in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia, 2016
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Date
2016-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with increased risk
of morbidity and mortality. Infants, under 5-year-old children and pregnant women have
greater susceptibility to anemia. The magnitude and associated risk factors for anemia vary in
different settings.
Objective: To determine the magnitude, severity and associated factors of anemia among
under five children attending at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral hospital and
Adare hospital, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to
June 2016 at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral hospital and Adare hospitals in
Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 422 under five children were included applying
convenient sampling method. Socio demographic data and other predisposing factors were
collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Venous blood sample
were collected from each child and analyzed for hemoglobin determination using cell-Dyn
1800 automated analyzer. Stained thin and thick smears were prepared for malaria parasites
detection. Stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount and formol-
ether concentration method to detect intestinal parasites. Data was entered and analyzed
using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were
computed to assess association between variables. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as
statistically significant.
Result: Among the 422 study participants, 235(55.7%) were males and 187(44.3%) were
females. The mean hemoglobin level was 10.59 g/dl and about 176(41.7%) of children were
anemic. Anemia was of mild, moderate and severe type in 6.6%, 19% and 16.1% of the
children, respectively. Being in the age group 6–23 months [AOR = 2.04: 95% CI (1.13, 3.69)], and
having mothers with no formal education [AOR = 1.73: 95%CI (0.99, 3.02)] were identified as
associated factors for anemia.
Conclusion: The magnitude of anemia was remarkably high being predominantly of
moderate and severe type. Children between 6 to 23 months and those who had mothers with
no formal education were more likely to be anemic. Thus, interventions like health education for
mothers/care givers should be strengthened.
Key words: Anemia, Under five children
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Keywords
Anemia, Under five children