title: Prevalence of anemia among under-5 children in the Ghanaian population: estimates from the Ghana demographic and health survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anemia in children continues to be a major public health challenge in most developing countries, particularly in Africa. Anemia in the early stages of life leads to severe negative consequences on the cognitive as well as the growth and development of children, which may persist even after treatment. We examine the prevalence of anemia in under-five children in the Ghanaian population to help inform and serve as a guide to health policies and possible interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) was used. Data consists of health, demographic and socio-economic factors. Anemia status was determined using hemoglobin level, and prevalence of childhood anemia along with 95% confidence intervals was provided. We also examined the distribution of prevalence across different age and socio-demographic groups as well as the different regions and sub-regions in Ghana.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of anemia in under-five children in Ghana was 78.4% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 76.7-80.2), where 7.8% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 6.6-8.9) of the children had severe anemia, 48.0% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 45.9-50.2) moderate anemia and 22.6% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 20.8-24.4) had mild anemia. The highest prevalence regions were the Upper East, 88.9% (N = 158, 95% CI: 80.9-94.0), and Upper West 88.1% (N = 220, 95% CI: 76.4-94.6). The prevalence was also higher among children under 2 years of age, 85.1% (N = 781, 95% CI: 82.6-87.7) than children 2-5 years of age, 74.8% (N = 1387, 95% CI: 72.5-77.1). No significant difference in prevalence between boys and girls was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the high prevalence of childhood anemia observed in Ghana, particularly among those less than 2 years old, and given the negative consequences on their cognitive and behavioral development even in later years, there is an urgent need for effective and efficient public health interventions.
authors.forename: Joycelyne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ewusie
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ahiadeke
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beyene
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. jhamid@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Jemila S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health