Research on the Correlation Between Anemia and Chronic Malnutrition in School-Age Children in Rural Areas of the Toumodi Health District in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia and chronic malnutrition are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and constitute public health problems. This study was carried out to assess the association between chronic malnutrition and anemia in rural school-age children. Method: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study carried out in the Toumodi health district in central Côte d’Ivoire. Study subjects were selected from children aged 6 to 15 years from rural school areas, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a sample of 588 pupils. The study was carried out in two stages: - The first step was to screen all consenting children for anemia using a Hemocue ®-System. - The second step was to collect anthropometric and biological data: the result of the presence of the malaria parasite in the blood by malaria test and the presence of helminths in the stools. Data entry and statistical analysis were carried out using Excel and SPSS version 12.0 software respectively. Results: Chronic malnutrition (weight-by-age) accounted for 22.4% of children, while the prevalence of anemia was 70.7%. The percentage of children with a positive malaria test was 57.5%. Helminths were observed in the stools of 52.8% of children. Anemia was correlated with chronic malnutrition and malaria. Moreover, chronically malnourished children were about twice (OR = 1.81) as likely to develop anemia as those who were not. Conclusion: This study revealed a strong association between chronic malnutrition and anemia.