18. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Children Age 6 To 59 Months of Age
Muhammad Humayun1, Habibullah Babar3, Salah-ud-Din Qureshi4 and Tehmina Anjum Bashir2
ABSTRACT
Objective: To know the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among children age 6-59 months.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study design.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta, Pediatric Unit-2 in collaboration with Department of Medical Entomology and Parasitology, Institute of Public Health, Lahore over a period of six months from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2016.
Materials and Methods: Children age 6 to 59 months of age who presented with palmar pallor along with hemoglobin levels less than 11 g/dl were included in the study for associated factors of anemia.
Results: The anemia was found in 395 (78.27%) children. Among 395 children, 210 (82.4%) were males and 185 (74%) were females. Important risk factors associated with anemia were gender, age, malnutrition, illiteracy and unemployment of caregivers.
Conclusion: Factors most strongly associated with anemia included malaria, parasitaemia, unemployment among caregivers, habit of taking tea with meals, malnutrition, low level of education and iron deficiency anemia. Key Words: Prevalence, Associated factors, Anemia
Citation of article: Humayun M, Babar H, Qureshi S, Bashir TA. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Children Age 6 To 59 Months of Age. Med Forum 2017;28(1):73-76.