Tsegaye, Aster (PhD)G/Selassie, Yeshimebet2018-07-032023-11-062018-07-032023-11-062016-07http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6046Background: 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 childrenenAnemiaUnder five childrenThesis