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. The study aimed to assess the magnitude, severity, and associated factors of anemia at Hawassa University Teaching and Referral hospital, Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. Methods In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, a total of 422 under-five children were included. Sociodemographic data and other predisposing factors were collected by structured questionnaire. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for hemoglobin determination using a Cell-Dyn 1800 automated analyzer. Stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration method to detect intestinal parasites. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were computed to assess factors associated with anemia. p value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Result The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 41.7%. The mean hemoglobin level was 10.59 g/dl. Anemia was of mild, moderate, and severe type in 6.6%, 19%, and 16.1% of the children, respectively. Children in the age group 6–23 months (AOR = 2.04 (95% CI: 1.13, 3.69)), and mothers having no formal education (AOR = 1.73 (95% CI: 0.99, 3.02)) were identified as associated factors for anemia. Conclusion The prevalence of anemia among the study subjects was 41.7% indicative of the fact that anemia is an important public health problem. It was associated with the child's age, residence, mother's education level, and intestinal parasite (Ascaris lumbricoides). It clearly indicates that there should be well integrated public health interventions to improve the health status that needs to be prioritized to prevent anemia among children under five years of age.
Highlights
Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality
Anemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds to 24.8% of the population. e highest prevalence is in preschool-age children which is 47.4%
World Health Organization showed that 818 million children under the age of five and women are affected by anemia, mainly in developing countries
Summary
World Health Organization defines anemia as a decrease in the concentration of circulating red blood cells or in the hemoglobin concentration and a related impaired capacity to transport oxygen. It is defined as hemoglobin level below 11 mg/dl for children of 6–59 months [1]. World Health Organization showed that 818 million children under the age of five and women are affected by anemia, mainly in developing countries. Under-5-year-old children, and pregnant women have greater susceptibility to anemia because of their increased iron requirements due to rapid body growth and expansion of red blood cells [9,10,11]. Despite these, detailed investigation of anemia in under-five children is limited in Ethiopia and existing data revealed variable magnitude. erefore, this study is designed to assess the magnitude of anemia and its associated factors among under-5 children attending Hawassa University Teaching and Referral hospital in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia
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