Prevalence Of Anaemia And Associated Factors Among Children Under 5 Years Seeking Medical Services At International Hospital Kampala (IHK)

Abstract

Background Aneamia possesses a significant health burden that is not properly addressed in Uganda with the prevalence ranging from 15% to 75% by region, (Uganda DHS, 2011). Anaemia in children is a grave health problem in 53% of under five year olds with potential on their health and economic wellbeing for instance anaemia if not promptly managed may cause irrevocable cognitive and developmental delays (UBOS & ICF, 2017). Anaemia is known to be results of under nutrition thus, it might be strongly correlated with other child nutritional status. A cross-sectional study was conducted to gather information on the factors associated with anaemia among children under-Five years at IHK from 337 children whose blood samples were drawn for analysis. The main purpose of the study was determine the prevalence and the factors associated with anaemia among children under 5 years seeking medical services at International Hospital Kampala (IHK) Kampala district. Results showed that mild anaemia was 20.9%, moderate anaemia was 11.6% and severe anaemia was 4.3%. demographic characteristics found to be associated were gender of the child (χ 2 =4.113, P=0.043), weight of the child at the time of study (χ 2 =26.088, P=0.000), History or incidence of intestinal worms in children (χ 2 =165.809, P=0.000), HIV status (χ 2 =26.486, P=0.000). Parental factors were found to be education (χ 2 =39.65, P=0.000 mother employment status (χ 2 =31.59, P=0.000), father‟s level of income (χ 2 =25.87, P=0.039), and mother's level of income (χ 2 =41.72, P=0.000). The study concluded that the level of anaemia was generally moderate and sex of child and mothers level of education influenced the anaemic condition. The study recommended that all children should be assessed using a CBC machine in order to offer specific treatment interventions for the children seeking care International Hospital, Kampala.