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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
[Prevalence and causal factors of anemia in children in Tunisia]
Jalila El Ati1, Sadok Gaigi, Chiraz Beji
1Institut National de Nutrition et de Technologie Alimentaire, Tunis.
Insights
Anemia remains common in children under five, with iron deficiency being the primary cause in 70% of cases. Other factors like vitamin deficiencies and parasites were found to be insignificant contributors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Public Health
Context:
- Anemia affects a significant portion of children under five years old, even with improved socioeconomic conditions.
- Prevalence is highest in the Southwest and District of Tunis regions, necessitating targeted research.
Purpose:
- To investigate the etiologic factors contributing to anemia in children under five.
- To establish the relative importance of different anemia causes for effective intervention strategies.
Summary:
- A cross-sectorial study surveyed 955 children under five, finding a 29% anemia rate.
- Iron deficiency accounted for approximately 70% of anemia cases.
- Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia, drepanocytosis) were minor contributors.
Impact:
- Identifies iron deficiency as the leading cause of anemia in young children.
- Provides data to guide the development of preventative and control strategies for childhood anemia.
- Highlights the limited role of parasitic infections and other deficiencies in the studied population.
Abstract:
Anemia continue to be prevalent among children under five years despite the improvement of socioeconomic and sanitary indicators. The purpose of the present cross-sectorial study is to assess the etiologic factors responsible for anemia. Knowledge of the relative importance of the different causes should form a basis for intervention strategies to prevent and control anemia. The survey covered 955 children under the age of five years, native of two regions with the highest prevalent of anemia, the Southwest and the District of Tunis. The results showed that 29% of children suffered from anemia. About 70% of them were iron deficient. The fractions of the deficiency in vitamin B12 and in folates were insignificant. Only 3% of children had chronic inflammation associated with (and possibly responsible for) their anemia A little fraction of anemia (approximately 5%) was due to thalassemia or drepanocytosis. Picawasan important causal factor of iron deficiency anemia. The parasites identified instool could not cause anemia.
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