Anaemia in schoolchildren in eight countries in Africa and Asia.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the haemoglobin concentrations and prevalence of anaemia in schoolchildren in eight countries in Africa and Asia.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected during surveys of the health of schoolchildren as a part of programmes to develop school-based health services.


METHODS
Rural schools in Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania and Vietnam.


METHODS
Nearly 14 000 children enrolled in basic education in three age ranges (7-11 years, 12-14 years and > or =15 years) which reflect the new UNICEF/WHO thresholds to define anaemia.


RESULTS
Anaemia was found to be a severe public health problem (defined as >40% anaemic) in five African countries for children aged 7-11 years and in four of the same countries for children aged 12-14 years. Anaemia was not a public health problem in the children studied in the two Asian countries. More boys than girls were anaemic, and children who enrolled late in school were more likely to be anaemic than children who enrolled closer to the correct age. The implications of the four new thresholds defining anaemia for school-age children are examined.


CONCLUSIONS
Anaemia is a significant problem in schoolchildren in sub-Saharan Africa. School-based health services which provide treatments for simple conditions that cause blood loss, such as worms, followed by multiple micronutrient supplements including iron, have the potential to provide relief from a large burden of anaemia.
Hall
A
A
Scientific Coordinating Centre, Partnership for Child Development, Wellcome Trust Centre for the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3FY, UK. ahall@hkidhaka.org
Bobrow
E
E
Brooker
S
S
Jukes
M
M
Nokes
K
K
Lambo
J
J
Guyatt
H
H
Bundy
D
D
Adjei
S
S
Wen
S T
ST
Satoto
Subagio
H
H
Rafiluddin
M Z
MZ
Miguel
T
T
Moulin
S
S
de Graft Johnson
J
J
Mukaka
M
M
Roschnik
N
N
Sacko
M
M
Zacher
A
A
Mahumane
B
B
Kihamia
C
C
Mwanri
L
L
Tatala
S
S
Lwambo
N
N
Siza
J
J
Khanh
L N
LN
Khoi
H H
HH
Toan
N D
ND
D000293:Adolescent; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000367:Age Factors; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins