Associations Between Household Livestock Ownership and Anemia in Children 6 to 59 Months Old in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Objectives We aimed to assess the relationship between household livestock ownership and childhood anemia in Ghana and examine whether animal-source food (ASF) consumption or illness mediates this association. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 470 children aged 6 to 59 months in two districts of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. We measured hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, iron status biomarkers (serum ferritin and serum transferrin receptor), and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein and α-1-acid glycoprotein). Mothers were asked about the child's consumption of ASF in the past 3 months and symptoms of illness in the past 7 days. Household livestock ownership was defined as owning no livestock, some poultry, many poultry, small livestock and poultry, or cattle, small livestock and poultry. Results Overall, 47.9% of children were anemic (Hb < 11.0 g/dL), and of these, 40.0% had iron deficiency based on low serum ferritin and 39.6% had elevated levels of inflammation. Children from households with cattle had lower odds of anemia (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.88) compared to households with no livestock, adjusting for child and household sociodemographic characteristics. Among children 24–59 months old from households with both small livestock and poultry there were lower odds of anemia (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.95). Although poultry meat and cow milk consumption were higher among poultry- and cattle-owning households, respectively, we did not find that consumption of these foods mediated the association between livestock ownership and either anemia or iron deficiency. Furthermore, less than one-quarter of children consumed meat and eggs that were sourced from their household's own animals. There were no associations between livestock ownership and illness symptoms or inflammation. Conclusions Children living in households that owned small or large ruminants with poultry were less likely to be anemic, but this association was not mediated through higher consumption of ASF. Our study suggests that livestock may be beneficial in this Ghanaian context, but the pathways through which livestock impacts child anemia require further investigation. Funding Sources University of Michigan (U-M) International Institute, U-M Office of Global Public Health, U-M African Studies Center, U-M Rackham Graduate School, U-M Nutritional Sciences Department.