Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
05:35

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management

Published on: January 19, 2024

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Population attributable fraction of risk factors for anemia among children aged 6-59 months: A multilevel complex

Meklit Melaku Bezie1, Beminate Lemma Seifu2, Hiwot Altaye Asebe2

  • 1Department of Public Health Officer, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Plos One
|June 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Childhood anemia in sub-Saharan Africa is highly prevalent. Key modifiable factors include maternal anemia, low maternal education, poverty, and poor sanitation, offering targets for public health interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Childhood anemia remains a critical public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
  • Limited research has quantified the impact of modifiable risk factors on anemia prevalence in SSA children.
  • This study quantifies the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of anemia risk factors in children aged 6-59 months across 27 SSA countries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of various risk factors contributing to anemia in children under five in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • To identify key modifiable risk factors for targeted public health interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary data analysis of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 27 SSA countries, involving 124,285 children.
  • Utilized a multilevel modified Poisson regression model to estimate adjusted Prevalence Odds Ratios (aPOR).
  • Calculated the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for identified risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The overall anemia prevalence in SSA children was 61.99%.
  • Significant risk factors contributing to anemia included maternal anemia (7.37% PAF), low maternal education (5.86% PAF), and poverty (3.52% PAF).
  • Childhood undernutrition, diarrheal and febrile illnesses, and poor sanitation also significantly contributed to anemia prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal anemia, low maternal education, poverty, poor sanitation, and childhood illnesses are major contributors to anemia in SSA.
  • Interventions focusing on maternal and child health, education, nutrition, and sanitation are crucial for reducing childhood anemia.
  • Addressing these modifiable risk factors can significantly impact public health outcomes in the region.
Abstract

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