Dietary Intake, Intestinal Infection, and Safe Drinking Water Among Children With Anemia in Peru: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesThe current study sought to better understand why the prevalence remains high by analyzing the dietary intake, incidence of intestinal infectious disease, and access to safe drinking water by children with anemia in Peru. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from two national surveys that were combined by child ID. Descriptive statistics was analyzed to understand the experience of children with anemia in comparison to child without anemia. Logistic multivariate regression analyses were conducted to test the associations between anemia and dietary intake, intestinal infection, and access to safe drinking water. ResultsThe sample included 586 children between 6 and 35 months. The prevalence of anemia in this population was 53%. The portion of children that consumed sufficient iron to meet the recommendation for their age was 62%. Of the children with anemia, 52% consumed sufficient iron to meet their recommendation, vs. 72% of children without anemia (P < 0.001). The children with anemia were more likely to have an intestinal infection during the previous year (35% vs. 26%, P = 0.057) and less likely to have access to safe drinking water (77% vs. 86%, P = 0.002) than those without anemia. The logistic analysis revealed that having an intestinal infection increased the odds of having anemia (OR = 1.64, CI 95% [1.041–2.584]), and having access to safe drinking waters decreased the odds of having anemia (OR = 0.578, [0.334–0.998]). ConclusionsMore than half of the children with anemia in Peru already consume sufficient iron to meet their daily requirement. However, they continue to have anemia, likely due to intestinal infection, such as diarrhea and parasites, from a lack of access to safe drinking water and hygienic practices. Funding SourcesNone.