Key Predictors of Anemia in Under Five Children in Rural Setting of Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Anemia is a substantial public health problem that happens worldwide with higher prevalence noted in children less than 5 years and rural children. The studywas aimed to explore the keypredictors of anemia of study population in rural setting of Bangladesh. Methodology & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural Bangladesh from 1 July 2018 to December 2019. Under-five children aged six months to below sixty months were enrolled in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interview from attending primary caregiver and from the results of laboratory tests of blood sample from target children. Data were analyzed through SPSS 23 software. Initially univariate analysis was done to identify predictors of anaemia followed by multivariate analysis to explore the key predictors through logistic regression. Results: A total data of258 under-five children aged 6-59 month were included in this study from the rural areas of Bangladesh. Among the studied children overall prevalence of anaemia was found 61.8%. The significant predictors (p <0.05) of anaemia through univariate analysis are age, maternal education level, monthly family income, exclusive breast feeding, proper complementary feeding practice as well as regular consumption of animal protein, fruits and vegetables. In addition, children who were under-weight stunted and wasted. Through multivariate analysis the key factors were explored as age group 6-24 month (AOR=0.02; p=0.006), family income less than 10000 BDT group-i.e 5000BDT or below (AOR=0.27;p=0.01) and 5001- 10000 BDT (AOR=8.84; 0.02), early and late weaning practiced children (AOR=0.23;p=0.002), low consumption of animal protein (AOR=0.05; p=0.001), and vegetables (AOR=0.18; p<0.001), stunting (AOR=0.18;p<0.001), wasting (AOR=0.14; p=0.03) and children who have chronic or recent infection (AOR=0.33; p=0.008). Conclusion: The keypredictors of anaemia are explored in this study are age below 2 year, family income less than 10000 BDT (in 2018 AD) or below, early and late weaning practice, low consumption of animal protein and vegetables, chronic malnutrition, acute malnutrition and chronic or recent infection. Rising mass awareness among the caregiver group on child care, nutrition and special focus to the children below age of two years will be the key strategies to prevent and control this extensive public health problem in Bangladesh.