PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS IN GUBA QORICHA DISTRICT, WESTERN HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Anemia is a problem of both developed and developing countries. It occurs at all age groups affecting growth and mental development. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with severity of anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Guba Qoricha woreda, eastern Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Guba Qoricha District, Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional state, eastern Ethiopia from August 1, 2020 to October 10, 2020. Methods: Health facility based cross sectional study design was used. Sociodemographic and economic characteristics, feeding practice and other risk factors were assessed using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Hemoglobin test was done using HemoCue Hb 301 to determine anemia. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze data. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between anemia and each independent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to control for all possible confounders and to identify factors associated with anemia. Odds ratio along with 95% CI was estimated to assess strength of the association. Level of statistical significance was declared at P-value ≤ 0.05. Result: The overall prevalence of anemia was 37.5% (95% CI; 33.77% -41.39%). Of the anemic under-five children, 187(30.4%) had mild anemia and 44(7.1%) had moderate anemia. The highest prevalence was recorded in the age group of 24–42 months (AOR=6.42; 95% CI: 6.36-7.77),child had fever before two weeks (AOR=6.20; 95% CI: 2.85-7.50), children‟s mothers aged 35-44year(AOR=4.12; 95% CI: 1.05-6.06),parent had no formal education (AOR=8.62; 95% CI: 4.19-17.76) and had family size >5 (AOR=2.96; 95% CI: 1.19-7.35), poor exclusively breast feeding practice (AOR=8.60; 95% CI: 4.53-10.50), preceding birth interval (AOR=37.55; 95% CI: 14.08-44.09), a family monthly income<750 ETB (AOR=5.29; 95% CI: 2.45-11.42),wasting (AOR= 7.82; 95% CI: 2.68-9.84)and moderate elevation (AOR=0.13; 95% CI: 0.07- 0.22). Conclusion: Anemia was found to be a moderate public health problem among children aged 6–59 months in Guba Qoricha District, Health Facility. Providing regular health education about childcare and child-feeding practices and to support nutrition low social economic status may help to reduce the anemia.