Takyi Sylvia A, Goodrich Jaclyn M, Robins Thomas
University of Michigan.
Res Sq. 2025 Jul 15:rs.3.rs-6922246. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6922246/v1.
Anemia is a significant public health issue, particularly in communities exposed to environmental hazards and poor nutritional conditions. Limited data is available in Ghana regarding the health and nutritional status of vulnerable groups like women and children residing in polluted areas such as Agbogbloshie in Accra.
AIM/ OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of anemia and its association with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors among e-waste recyclers, women, and children living in Agbogbloshie, a community known for its e-waste recycling activities.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among male e-waste recyclers, women of reproductive age, and children aged 5-17 years at Agbogbloshie, Ghana in 2022. Data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were conducted, whilst onsite hemoglobin levels were measured using the HemoCue 301+ machine. Among children, the weight-for-age (WAZ) score and length-for-age (LAZ), BMI-for-age and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)-for-age scores were measured based on the WHO growth charts and the WHO anthropometry calculator. Linear regression models were used to identify sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measures and other factors associated with anemia.
Anemia was prevalent among women and children in this study. Furthermore, anemia prevalence was higher among female adults (54.90%) compared to the male recyclers (9%) [χ = 38.47, p < 0.001]. Some (45.56%) children between the ages of 12 to 17 years did not meet the recommended WHO reference for hemoglobin levels. Sociodemographic factors, such as lower educational level, gender, age and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with anemia. Higher BMI was positively associated with higher hemoglobin levels in e-waste recyclers ( = 0.098; 95% Cl: 0.004, 0.193; = 0.04). However, we did not find an association between anthropometric measures (height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age) and hemoglobin levels of children in this study (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, children who consumed food from less than five food groups had significant reduction in hemoglobin levels [ = -1.789; 95% Cl: -3.531, -0.047; = 0.04].
Anemia remains a major public health concern in Agbogbloshie, with significant associations between anemia and sociodemographic factors and some anthropometric measures. The high prevalence of anemia in women and children highlights the need for targeted interventions addressing nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposures, and socioeconomic disparities.
贫血是一个重大的公共卫生问题，在面临环境危害和营养条件差的社区中尤为突出。加纳关于居住在阿克拉阿博布罗西等污染地区的妇女和儿童等弱势群体的健康和营养状况的数据有限。
我们评估了电子垃圾回收者、妇女和儿童中贫血的患病率及其与社会人口统计学和人体测量学因素的关联，这些人群生活在以电子垃圾回收活动而闻名的阿博布罗西社区。
2022年在加纳阿博布罗西对男性电子垃圾回收者、育龄妇女和5至17岁的儿童进行了一项横断面研究。使用半结构化问卷收集社会人口统计学和社会经济因素的数据。进行了人体测量，同时使用HemoCue 301+机器测量现场血红蛋白水平。在儿童中，根据世界卫生组织生长图表和世界卫生组织人体测量学计算器测量年龄别体重（WAZ）得分、年龄别身长（LAZ）、年龄别体重指数（BMI）和年龄别上臂中部周长（MUAC）得分。使用线性回归模型确定与贫血相关的社会人口统计学因素、人体测量指标和其他因素。
本研究中妇女和儿童中贫血普遍存在。此外，成年女性贫血患病率（54.90%）高于男性回收者（9%）[χ = 38.47，p < 0.001]。一些12至17岁的儿童（45.56%）未达到世界卫生组织推荐的血红蛋白水平参考值。社会人口统计学因素，如教育水平较低、性别、年龄和社会经济地位与贫血显著相关。较高的BMI与电子垃圾回收者较高的血红蛋白水平呈正相关（ = 0.098；95%可信区间：0.004，0.193； = 0.04）。然而，在本研究中我们未发现人体测量指标（年龄别身高、年龄别体重和年龄别BMI）与儿童血红蛋白水平之间存在关联（p > 0.05）。尽管如此，食用食物种类少于五类的儿童血红蛋白水平显著降低[ = -1.789；95%可信区间：-3.531，-0.047； = 0.04]。
贫血仍然是阿博布罗西的一个主要公共卫生问题，贫血与社会人口统计学因素和一些人体测量指标之间存在显著关联。妇女和儿童中贫血的高患病率凸显了针对营养缺乏、环境暴露和社会经济差距进行有针对性干预的必要性。
