Anemia Among Children Under 5 Years in India: A District-Level Spatial Analysis Using NFHS-5 Data

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Spatial Analysis

Background:

• Childhood anemia prevalence in India was 58% (NFHS-4, 2015/2016).
• Nutritional supplementation and healthcare access are critical factors influencing childhood anemia.
• Understanding spatial variations is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the district-level spatial heterogeneity and clustering of factors associated with childhood anemia in India.
• To identify key determinants contributing to anemia prevalence among children under five years.
• To inform targeted policy interventions for anemia reduction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data for 335 districts.
• Applied Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to analyze spatial associations.
• Employed Spatial Scan Statistics to detect significant local spatial clusters of anemia.

Main Results:

• Nutritional supplementation (children and mothers), birth order, antenatal care, childhood diarrhea, and stunting were significantly associated with anemia.
• Identified three significant local spatial clusters of childhood anemia across India.
• Revealed substantial district-level spatial variations in anemia prevalence and its determinants.

Conclusions:

• Spatial analysis highlights significant heterogeneity in childhood anemia and its risk factors across Indian districts.
• Findings underscore the need for localized, data-driven policies to address nutritional and healthcare gaps.
• The study provides evidence for designing and implementing tailored interventions to combat childhood anemia effectively.