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[Hemoglobin level among infants in Akko sub-district].
Harefuah
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Anemia is prevalent in non-Jewish infants in Akko, affecting over 30%. Socio-demographic factors like ethnicity and maternal education are linked to higher anemia rates, necessitating intervention programs for child development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Hematology
Background:
- Infant anemia poses a significant public health challenge, impacting child development.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for anemia is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of anemia in infants born in 1995 in the Akko sub-district.
- To investigate the association between infant anemia and socio-demographic variables.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 7920 infants born in 1995 in the Akko sub-district was studied.
- Hemoglobin levels were measured at 12 months of age; anemia was defined as <11 g/dl.
- Chi-square tests were used to analyze associations between anemia and socio-demographic factors in 5535 non-Jewish infants.
Main Results:
- Anemia prevalence was 30.8% among the studied infants.
- Anemia rates varied significantly by ethnicity (Arabs > Druze) and settlement type (highest in Bedouin settlements).
- Factors associated with higher anemia rates included larger family size and lower maternal education; no association with birth weight was found.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of anemia was observed in non-Jewish infants in the Akko sub-district.
- Socio-demographic factors play a significant role in infant anemia rates.
- Intervention programs are essential to reduce anemia and support optimal psychomotor development in affected children.