Prevalence and determining factors of anemia and malnutrition among Egyptian children
Abeer Abdou Barakat, Khaled Hassan Nada, Dina Ahmed Ezzat1
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, Egypt, .
Insights
Anemia and malnutrition are prevalent in Egyptian children, particularly those under two years old. Risk factors include diarrhea, low socioeconomic status, and delayed weaning, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Hematology
Background:
- The Millennium Development Goals aimed to reduce child underweight by 50% between 1990 and 2015.
- Child malnutrition and anemia remain significant global health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the prevalence and risk factors of anemia and malnutrition in Albasra village, Egypt.
- Develop directives for a child health management program.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 397 children aged six months to 15 years.
- Data collection included interviews, clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory assessments (complete blood count, hemoglobin).
Main Results:
- Diarrhea was the most common symptom (55%).
- Anemia risk factors: <2 years old, birth order, diarrheal episodes, vomiting, chest indrawing, late weaning (>24 months), and low socioeconomic status.
- Stunting was highest in younger children from extended families; wasting was linked to chronic disease.
Conclusions:
- Understanding risk factors for childhood anemia and malnutrition is crucial for effective prevention and control.
- Targeted interventions are needed for vulnerable populations in Albasra village.
Background:
The first Millennium Development Goal to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger" implied reducing by 50% the prevalence of underweight status among children younger than five years between 1990 and 2015.
Aim Of Work:
This study investigates the prevalence and determining factors of anemia and malnutrition among children of Albasra village, one of the Egyptian villages, to produce directives for a management program.
Materials And Methods:
All inhabitants aged between six months and 15 years (397 children) were subjected to a structured interview, clinical assessment, anthropometric assessment, and laboratory examination. A complete blood picture analysis and a hemoglobin percentage assessment were done.
Results:
The main prevailing symptom in the two weeks preceding the survey was diarrhea (55%). Complete weaning before the age of 18 months occurred in 20.5% of the below-six children. The children more likely to be anemic were those under the age of two years, children having the first or more than the fourth order among their siblings, and those who suffered a diarrheal attack, vomiting, grunting, or chest in drawing within two weeks preceding the survey, among children completely weaned after the age of 24 months and those from a low socioeconomic level. Stunting was highest among younger children from extended families. Children who suffered a chronic disease were more likely to be wasted (13.2%).
Conclusion:
An understanding of the risk factors for anemia and malnutrition among a population is fundamental to provide efficient preventive and control measures.
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