Prevalence and associated factors of Iron deficiency anemia among young children (6 – 72 months) in Health Region 7

Abstract

Anemia in children continues to be a major public health challenge in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among young children aged 6 to 72 months, totally 646 samples, in Health Region 7th. Secondary data from Growth situational studied, Factors associated to Growth and Model of development promoting in Thai early childhood, Bureau of Nutrition were used for this study. Samples were included by multi-stages random sampling. The researchinstruments consistedofquestionnaire, maternal andchildhealthhandbook, andhemoglobin measurement from the fingertip. The association between factors and anemia among young children were analyzed using the multiple logistic regressions. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were presented. The results shown that the prevalence of anemia in young children was 29.1%. The age group 6 – 12 months had the highest prevalence with 51.2% (41/80), followed by the age group 13 – 24 months as 31.1% (37/119). The associated factors with anemia in young children were children aged from 6 – 24 months (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.35 - 2.80), The area without plan for control and prevention of anemia (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.32 - 2.70), and children living in the municipality (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.37). In conclusion, anemia in young children is still a major health problem especially among children under two year olds. The guidelines or measures for the surveillance and prevention of anemia should be developed as well as the promotion of appropriated nutrition intake in parents or caregivers.