Abstract:
The prevalence of anaemia among children aged between 6 to 24
months remains relatively high (48%) in Sri Lanka. Identification of the
anaemic risk factors among children is important to develop appropriate
interventions. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors
for anemia among 6 to 24 month old children in eastern province. The
present study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in Batticalo and
Ampara districts. A sample of 456 subjects aged between 6 to 24 months
children were selected using a cluster random sampling method. A pre tested
structured interviewer administrated questionnaire was used to identify the
risk factors associate with anaemia among children. Socio economic (SE),
child feeding practices (CFP), mother nutrition knowledge (MNK),
communicable diseases on previous month (CDPM), water, sanitation and
home gardening practices (WSH), and mother and child nutrition status
(MCN) were considered as 6 main indicators to identify the risk factors. The
HaemoCue method was used to measure haemoglobin concentration, and
anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <11g/dl. Weight and height were taken
to assess the nutrition status of the children. A single 24 hour recall was also
performed to assess nutrient intake of the children. The overall prevalence of
anaemia among the study group was 79% and 4% was severely anaemic. SE,
CFP, MNK, CDPM, WSH, MCN indicators were identified as risk factors for
anaemia and they were significantly associated (p<0.01) with low
hemoglobin levels among the children. Dietary iron intake from the food of
non anaemic children was significantly higher than anaemic children. In
conclusion Factors that were significantly associated with anaemia were
socio economic, child feeding practices, mother nutrition knowledge,
communicable diseases, water, sanitation and home gardening , and mother
and child nutritional status. CFP and SE indicators were strongly associated
with anaemic children than other indicators.
