Risk Factors of Childhood Anemia Explained: Evidence From the 2016 National Survey

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the key risk factors related to anemia among children aged 6–24 months (younger age group) and 25–59 months (older age group). Methods We used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data, collected from 11,023 mothers with under five children. Ordered logistic regression modeling was used for assessing risk factors of childhood anemia. Results The results suggest that the prevalence of anemia is 72% in the younger and 49% in the older age groups. The risk factors for anemia in the younger age group are morbidity (OR = 0.5; CI: 0.32–0.82), having no piped water source (OR = 1.76; CI: 1.07, 3.01) and no toilet facility (OR = 1.60; CI: 1.07, 2.38). The key risk factors for anemia in the older age group were no micronutrient intake (OR = 1.69; CI: 1.23, 2.31), having a young mother (OR = 1.35; CI: 0.84, 1.91) and a non- working mother (OR = 1.50; CI: 1.15, 1.96). Moreover, no deworming, small birth weight and residing in a large household size were key risk factors in both age groups. Conclusions Strengthening both nutrition sensitive and nutrition specific interventions may help curb the consistently higher prevalence of anemia. Intervention strategies should consider the unique characteristics of regions and rural residences where the prevalence of anemia is above the national average. Funding Sources N/A.