| dc.description.abstract |
Background: Anemia is a major public health problem in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Schoolchildren are among the most vulnerable groups. Anemia negatively affects a child's physical growth and development, academic performance, and productivity later in life. There is limited data on the prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren in Ethiopia, specifically in Gambella Town.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and its determinants among 7 to 14-year-old School Children in Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia.
Method: A School-based cross-sectional study was conducted among primary and middle school children in Gambella town from December 25,2024 to February 25,2025. Multi-stage sampling followed by a simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Hemoglobin was measured from a fingertip, and the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off was used to classify anemia. Anthropometric indices, Height for age Z Scores (HAZ) and Body Mass Index Z-scores (BAZ) were analyzed and compared to growth reference standards using WHO Anthroplus software. Descriptive analysis was carried out to describe the study participants. Binary logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with anemia.
Results: About 352school children participated, making a response rate of 95.6%. The median age of the study subjects was 11 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 9 to 13 years. More than half (51.7%) of the participants were males. The prevalence of anemia was 17.6% (95% CI: 13.9, 21.9). Not formal maternal education (AOR 5.06; 95%CI:1.77,14.46), history of helminthic intestinal infection four weeks prior to the study (AOR 6.57; 95% CI:2.71,15.92) and history of malarial infection four weeks prior to the study (AOR=8.11; 95% CI:4.00,16.49) and having low dietary diversity score (AOR 9.22; 95% CI:1.75,48.53) were significantly associated with anemia among school age children. No significant association was seen with the age and sex of the child and the Anthropometric indices.
Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of anemia among primary and middle school children in Gambella town was 17.6%. It was shown that the high prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasitosis in the area, along with non-formal maternal education and dietary factors, increased the risk of anemia. Therefore, School-based intervention, education on the use of diversified food, appropriate malaria control, and regular deworming of schoolchildren are crucial strategies to reduce the prevalence of anemia. Regular health education sessions at the health facilities or through health extension workers would help reach uneducated community members |
en_US |