PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE
Keywords:
Iron deficiency anemia, children, prevalence, determinants, dietary factors, complementary feeding, nutritional status.Abstract
Background: Iron deficiency anemia is a major public health problem among children under five years of age and is associated with impaired growth, cognitive development, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and identify its sociodemographic, dietary, maternal, health, and nutritional determinants among children under five years of age.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 372 children under five years of age who attended CMH Lahore Hospital. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique, and caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect relevant information. Sociodemographic characteristics, dietary practices, maternal factors, recent infections, iron supplementation, and nutritional status were assessed. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured to evaluate anemia and iron status. Iron deficiency anemia was defined according to the study’s predefined hemoglobin and serum ferritin criteria. Associations between anemia and the assessed determinants were examined using chi-square tests. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A substantial proportion of children were found to have iron deficiency anemia. Younger age, rural residence, inadequate iron-rich food intake, inadequate complementary feeding, low maternal education, recent infection, lack of iron supplementation, and underweight status were significantly associated with iron deficiency anemia. In multivariable analysis, these factors remained independent determinants of the condition.
Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia among children under five years is multifactorial. Integrated interventions focusing on improved complementary feeding, iron-rich diets and supplementation, maternal education, infection control, and nutritional support are essential to reduce its burden and protect child growth and development.
