PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN AL-HARAM ZONE, GIZA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

Background: Anemia in school-age children is an important public health problem, and available data of its prevalence and existing risk factors are essential for planning preventive strategies. Anemia is more prevalent among females as compared with males. It reduces physical work capacity and cognitive function and adversely affects learning and scholastic performance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anemia among male and female school-age children (6-18 years) in Al-Haram, Giza governorate, Egypt, and to identify factors associated with childhood anemia among the participants. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 school-age children 6-18 years old (116 males and 119 females) in Al-Haram district, Giza governorate, Egypt. An oral consent was obtained from participants and their relatives. A blood sample was taken from each participant with the aim of providing the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among the study population. Results: The study revealed that the overall prevalence of anemia was 38.7%. Among males were 23.3%, while 53.8% among females with a statistically significant difference. Regarding family size prevalence of anemia among families (less than five) were 27.1%, while 74.1% in families more than five persons with a statistically significant difference. The current study revealed that anemia was 64%, 54.5% and 10.1% among children born to illiterate, moderate and high educated fathers respectively. Anemia was 56.4% and 17.4% among children borne to illiterate and moderate educated mothers with a statistically significant difference. Results of the study revealed that anemia was 61.8%, 48.5%, 5.6% and 26.7% among children who born to farmers, merchant, governmental employee and private employee respectively. Regarding mothers job, 41.4%, 33.3% and 20% of children were anemic who born to house wife, merchant and private employee mothers respectively with statistically significant differences. The study revealed that anemia was 66.2% among children who ate meat once weekly, while 38.7% among children who ate meat twice weekly, with statistically significant differences. Anemia was 55% among children who ate vegetables once weekly, 28.8% among who ate vegetables twice, and 15.9% among who ate vegetables three times and more weekly. The current study revealed that anemia was 44.1% among who ate fruits once weekly, 13% among who ate twice weekly, and 11.8% among who ate three times and more weekly. Recommendations: - School teachers should give advice to both children and their parents regarding advantages of balanced diet. - Improvement of dietary habits regarding consumption of animal proteins, fruits and green leafy vegetables should be included in diet plan. - Health education seminars should be conducted at regular intervals. - Addition of a health education courses to student's curricula. Conclusion: The results suggested that there was a need for proper planning and implementation of preventive measures to combat childhood anemia.