Socioeconomic factors associated with anemia among children aged 6-59 months in Namibia

Authors

  • Panduleni Penipawa Shimanda Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Clara Barton School of Nursing, Welwitchia Health Training Centre, Windhoek
  • Hans Justus Amukugo School of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek
  • Fredrik Norström Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2020.1131

Keywords:

Anaemia, children aged 6–59 months, DHS, Namibia, sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Anemia remains a public health concern, and its prevalence varies between countries as well as between age, sex and levels of poverty. This study aims at examining the association between socio-demographic factors and anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Namibia. Data was extracted from the 2013 Namibian Demographic Health Survey. The association between anemia and other factors was examined with logistic regression. Results are reported in odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In total, 1,383 children aged 6–59 months had complete data and included in the analyses. Our study shows that there is a statistically significantly increased risk of anemia among children from poorer households compared with the richest quintile. Also, there was a statistically significance supporting anemia being more common among boys than girls. There was also a statistically significant negative effect related to age. Our study shows that young children, boys and children in poorer households have an increased risk of anemia. Considering the adverse impact of anemia on child development, policies must prioritize factors exacerbating anemia risk.

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Published

29-04-2020

How to Cite

Shimanda, P. P., Amukugo, H. J., & Norström, F. (2020). Socioeconomic factors associated with anemia among children aged 6-59 months in Namibia. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2020.1131

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