EVALUATION OF ANEMIA AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY
Main Article Content
Keywords
childhood anemia, nutritional deficiency, dietary diversity, socioeconomic determinants, tertiary care hospital
Abstract
: Childhood anemia remains a critical public health challenge in India, affecting cognitive development, immunity, and mortality. This study evaluated the prevalence of anemia and identified its associated factors among children aged 6 months to 5 years to inform targeted intervention strategies in the Prayagraj region.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, from July 2023 to December 2023. A total of 145 children aged 6-59 months were enrolled through consecutive sampling. Data collection involved structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional practices, health history, and environmental factors. Hemoglobin estimation was performed using automated hematology analyzer, with anemia defined as hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL per WHO criteria. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using standardized techniques. Bivariate analysis employed chi-square tests and independent t-tests, while multivariable binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of anemia.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 67.6%, with moderate anemia (57.1%) being most common, followed by mild (34.7%) and severe (8.2%). Prevalence was highest among infants aged 6-11 months (82.1%) and rural children (74.2%). Independent predictors of anemia included young age (AOR=3.89, 95% CI: 1.23-12.31), maternal illiteracy (AOR=3.12, 95% CI: 1.14-8.54), low socioeconomic status (AOR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.08-7.15), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR=3.45, 95% CI: 1.48-8.04), insufficient iron-rich food consumption (AOR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.23-7.22), lack of deworming (AOR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.01-4.93), and maternal anemia (AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.15-6.19).
Conclusion: Childhood anemia represents a severe public health problem with multifactorial etiology requiring comprehensive interventions addressing nutritional, health, socioeconomic, and environmental determinants for effective control.
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Dr . Kusum Lata
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr. Khurshed Alam Choudhary
Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
