"Risk Factors Of Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Children Admitted at Bossaso Hospital, Somalia "

Abstract

Anaemia is a condition where an individual has insufficient haemoglobin in the blood leading to inadequate supply of oxygen to body tissues. For children under five years, a haemoglobin level below 11.0 grams per decilitre of blood is considered anaemic. The main objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia in children aged 6 and 59 months in Bossaso, Somalia by conducting a cross-sectional study in Bossaso hospital. Mothers with children aged 6-59 months were selected purposively. Structured questionnaires were used to acquire information on socio demographic traits, morbidity and health status, sanitation practices, dietary habits and breastfeeding of the study population. Presence of anaemia in study children was determined through bio chemical test using Complete Blood Count (CBC). Chi-square, correlation and T-tests were used to relate the independent and dependent variables. The results show the study population had poor socio-economic status with high illiteracy levels. Most households relied on remittance for a monthly income which was insufficient to afford a diverse diet to improve their nutrition status. The results also indicate that iron deficiency anaemia was significantly associated with the mother/caregivers’ occupation (p=0.013), household income (p=0.007), child weight at birth (p=0.001) and the children’s DDS (p=0.012). These were therefore the main risk factors for iron-deficiency anaemia among study children. In conclusion, low child birth weight, poor dietary diversity and low household income are significant indicators contributing to the high prevalence of childhood anaemia. Interventions in health, education and agriculture that promote diversify their diets through growing iron rich foods such as spinach and beans in kitchen gardens as well as improved health are essential to reduce anaemia among these children. Keywords: Anaemia, iron deficiency, risk factors of anaemia, dietary intake, young children.