Childhood anemia prevalence and associated factors in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1996 to estimate the prevalence of anemia in a stratified sample of 603 preschool children and identify factors associated with the disease. Hemoglobin assays were conducted in finger-prick blood samples using a Hemocue hemoglobinometer. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin below 11.0 g/dl. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the potential associations. Observed anemia prevalence was 46.3%. Associated factors were: the 6-12-month and 12-24-month age brackets, the lowest tertiles for iron density and protein content dietary intake, and any degree of deficit in the height-for-age anthropometric parameter. Inadequate physical, sanitary, and environmental conditions in the home were associated with a significantly increased risk of anemia. Anemia constitutes an important health problem in this study's child population. Improvements in living conditions and dietary quality could contribute to a reduction in anemia prevalence.
Assis
Ana Marlúcia O
AM
Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. amos@ufba.br
Barreto
Mauricio L
ML
Gomes
Gecynalda Soares da Silva
GS
Prado
Matildes da Silva
Mda S
Santos
Nedja Silva dos
NS
Santos
Leonor Maria Pacheco
LM
Sampaio
Lílian Ramos
LR
Ribeiro
Rita de Cássia
Rde C
Oliveira
Lucivalda Pereira Magalhães de
LP
Oliveira
Valterlinda Alves de
VA
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001827:Body Height; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012499:Sanitation
D006454:Hemoglobins