Kejo Dyness, Petrucka Pammla M, Martin Haikel, Kimanya Martin E, Mosha Theobald Ce
Department of Food Biotechnology and Nutritional Sciences, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha, Tanzania.
College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2018 Feb 5;9:9-15. doi: 10.2147/PHMT.S148515. eCollection 2018.
Anemia is a global health problem affecting most developing countries. We examined the prevalence of anemia and its predictors among children under 5 years of age in Arusha District, Tanzania. Random sampling technique was used to identify 436 children aged 6-59 months. Anemia status was assessed by measuring hemoglobin concentration from blood sample obtained from a finger prick and HemoCue Hb 201+ photometer. Demographic information and dietary intake data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Anemia cut-off points were defined according to World Health Organization standards for children aged 6-59 months. Logistic regression using backward procedure was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Prevalence rate of anemia among under-fives was found to be 84.6% (n=369). Multivariable logistic regression identified the following predictors of anemia; low birth weight (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8), not consuming meat (AOR: 6.4, 95% CI: 3.2-12.9), not consuming vegetables (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.1), drinking milk (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.2), and drinking tea (AOR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.5-13.7). It was concluded that low birth weight and dietary factors (ie, low or nonconsumption of iron-rich foods like meat, vegetables, and fruits) were predictors of anemia among under-five children living in this rural setting. Community education on exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of complementary foods should be improved. Mothers and caretakers should be educated about nutrition, in general, as well as potential use of micronutrient powder to improve the nutritional quality of complementary foods.
贫血是一个影响大多数发展中国家的全球性健康问题。我们调查了坦桑尼亚阿鲁沙地区5岁以下儿童贫血的患病率及其预测因素。采用随机抽样技术确定了436名年龄在6至59个月的儿童。通过用手指采血并使用HemoCue Hb 201+ 光度计测量血红蛋白浓度来评估贫血状况。使用标准化问卷收集人口统计学信息和饮食摄入数据。贫血临界值根据世界卫生组织针对6至59个月儿童的标准确定。采用向后逐步回归的逻辑回归分析来估计95%置信区间（CI）的比值比（OR）。发现五岁以下儿童的贫血患病率为84.6%（n = 369）。多变量逻辑回归分析确定了以下贫血预测因素：低出生体重（调整后的OR（AOR）：2.1，95% CI：1.1 - 3.8）、不吃肉（AOR：6.4，95% CI：3.2 - 12.9）、不吃蔬菜（AOR：2.1，95% CI：1.1 - 4.1）、喝牛奶（AOR：2.5，95% CI：1.1 - 5.2）以及喝茶（AOR：4.5，95% CI：1.5 - 13.7）。研究得出结论，低出生体重和饮食因素（即肉类、蔬菜等富含铁的食物摄入不足或不摄入）是生活在该农村地区的五岁以下儿童贫血的预测因素。应加强关于纯母乳喂养和添加辅食的社区教育。总体而言，应教育母亲和照料者有关营养知识以及微量营养素粉在改善辅食营养质量方面的潜在用途。
