Anaemia Prevalence and Contributory Factors among Children in Uttarakhand, India
Shweta Suri *
Department of Foods and Nutrition, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
Anuradha Dutta
Department of Foods and Nutrition, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
Rita Singh Raghuvanshi
Department of Foods and Nutrition, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
Anupama Singh
Department of Post-harvest Process and Food Engineering, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
C. S. Chopra
Department of Food Science and Technology, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: In India, Anaemia among children is still one of the major nutritional problems of public health concern.
Aim of the Study: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia among Anganwadi children (3-6 years of age) and to determine the important risk factors associated with anaemia.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted among 390 Anganwadi children of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, during April, 2019- August, 2019.
Methodology: In this cross sectional study, data on socio-demographic, socioeconomic, hygiene and dietary practices were collected using a self-structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin (Hb) and anthropometric measurements were carried out. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR).
Results: A majority, 70.54% of the Anganwadi children were found to be anaemic, with higher prevalence among male children (51.30%) as compared to female children (48.70%). The mean hemoglobin concentration of children was 9.91 (±1.9 g/dl). Stunting was higher among males (54.83%) as compared to females (45.17%).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that anaemia was significantly associated with monthly income of family AOR (95% CI) 3.25(2.49, 4.00), mother's illiteracy AOR (95% CI) 1.98 (1.49, 2.46), history of anaemia in mother AOR (95% CI) 1.60(0.67, 2.52 ), history of worms in child's stool AOR (95% CI) 3.17(2.26,4.03), barefoot walking AOR (95% CI) 3.08(2.11,4.04) and lack of habit of hand washing AOR (95% CI) 1.55(0.98, 2.11).
Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia among children was high. Iron supplementation, nutrition education among mothers and overall personal hygiene are important to ameliorate their iron status.
Keywords: Iron deficiency anaemia, children, hemoglobin, micronutrient, Anganwadi children