Iron deficiency anaemia in children of a peri-urban health facility
Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health (East Africa)
Abstract
Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia(IDA) and its risk factors.
Design: A cross -sectional survey.
Setting: A peri-urban health centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Subjects: Four hundred and three children, aged six months to six years.
Intervention: Demographic data were obtained and each child examined for signs of iron deficiency anaemia. Blood was drawn for haemoglobin determination.
Main outcome measure: The diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia was made using a pre-defined criteria.
Results: Iron deficiency anaemia had a prevalence of 7.4% (95% CI=4.8-10.0) and was predominantly mild (93.6%). Age was found to be significantly associated with iron deficiency anaemia with a prevalence of (14.6%) in infants. No association was found between IDA and sex, birthweight, weaning age and weaning diet, sanitation, water source or mother's education.
Conclusion: The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in this health facility was relatively low and was predominantly mild.
Publication (Name of Journal)
East African Medical Journal
Recommended Citation
Murila, F. V.,
Macharia, W.,
Wafula, E.
(1999). Iron deficiency anaemia in children of a peri-urban health facility. East African Medical Journal, 76(9), 520-523.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_paediatr_child_health/23
Comments
This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.