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[Prevalence and risk factors for anemia among children in Brazil]
L S Silva1, E R Giuglian, D R Aerts
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Insights
Anemia affects nearly half of young children in Porto Alegre day care centers. Low income, age 12-23 months, and multiple young siblings are key risk factors for childhood anemia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Context:
- Childhood anemia is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing countries.
- Day care centers serve a vulnerable population of young children, making them crucial settings for health assessments.
- Socioeconomic factors and family structure can influence child health outcomes.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of anemia in children aged 0-36 months attending public day care centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- To identify risk factors associated with anemia in this specific pediatric population.
- To inform public health interventions aimed at reducing childhood anemia.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study involving 557 children (0-36 months) in Porto Alegre public day care centers found a 47.8% prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dl).
- Identified risk factors included low per capita family income (≤ 1 minimal wage), age between 12-23 months, and having two or more siblings under five years old.
- Log-binomial regression analysis was used to assess the association between variables and anemia.
Impact:
- The high prevalence highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions to combat and prevent childhood anemia in the region.
- Findings underscore the importance of socioeconomic status and family demographics in child nutrition and health.
- Results provide crucial data for policymakers and healthcare providers to develop effective public health strategies.
Objective:
To verify the prevalence of anemia among children aged 0 to 36 months, who attend public day care centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and assess its possible risk factors.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 557 children aged 0 to 36 months of all public day care centers in Porto Alegre. Anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin levels were performed. The portable HemoCue photometer was employed to measure hemoglobin levels, and anemia was considered when the hemoglobin level was below 11 g/dl. Information regarding each child was obtained by means of a questionnaire applied to the mother. The association of the variables studied to anemia was analyzed using the log-binomial regression technique applied to the hierarchical model.
Results:
A 47.8% prevalence of anemia was found in this population. The risk factors for anemia in the studied group were: families with per capita income equal or less than one monthly minimal wage (prevalence ratio - RP =1.6), age between 12 and 23 months (RP=1.4), and having 2 or more siblings younger than 5 years old (RP=1.4).
Conclusions:
There is a high prevalence of anemia among children aged 0 to 36 months in public day care centers, especially among children with the lowest socioeconomic level, in the 12 to 23 months age group, and who have 2 or more siblings under 5 years of age, indicating that there is an urgent need for effective measures to fight and prevent this condition.