Determinants of anemia amongst children under 3 years of age

K. Sharma; V. Sengar; B. Mandlik

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2016

Determinants of anemia amongst children under 3 years of age

K. Sharma, V. Sengar, B. Mandlik

Abstract :

Objective: Assessment of nutritional and non–nutritional factors associated with anemia in children (<3y) in Vadodara Design and setting:Nine out of 46 anganwadis were randomly selected. Methods: Data was collected on socio–economic status, health services utilization, psychomotor development, anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, morbidity profile and hemoglobin (Hb) levels (n=362). Results: Prevalence of anemia was found to be 71.1%. Mean Hb level was 10.18g/dl. Univariate analysis showed anemia prevalence was higher (76.7%) among subjects with monthly per capita income (PCI) ≤Rs.750 than those (66.1%) having PCI >Rs.750. Prevalence was 70.8% in the first born compared to 83.3% in those with birth order >3. It was lower in the children whose growth was monitored regularly (71.1%) compared to the other group (80%). Higher percent of subjects (77.8%) who had experienced morbidities had hemoglobin levels <11g/dl, compared to subjects who had not experienced any morbidity (63.7%). Mean iron intake was higher in non–anemic subjects (5.48mg/day) than moderately and severely anemic subjects (5.16mg/day). Multiple regression analysis showed that the Height for age Z scores, infectious morbidities, house construction, drainage facility and mothers education explained 12% variation seen in Hb levels. Conclusion:The associated factors can be used to identify children at high risk of anemia and the iron supplementation and supplementary food can be targeted towards them.