Prevalence and determining factors of anemia and malnutrition among Egyptian children.

BACKGROUND: The first Millennium Development Goal to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger" implied reducing by 50% the prevalence of underweight status among children younger than five years between 1990 and 2015.

AIM OF WORK: This study investigates the prevalence and determining factors of anemia and malnutrition among children of Albasra village, one of the Egyptian villages, to produce directives for a management program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All inhabitants aged between six months and 15 years (397 children) were subjected to a structured interview, clinical assessment, anthropometric assessment, and laboratory examination. A complete blood picture analysis and a hemoglobin percentage assessment were done.

RESULTS: The main prevailing symptom in the two weeks preceding the survey was diarrhea (55%). Complete weaning before the age of 18 months occurred in 20.5% of the below-six children. The children more likely to be anemic were those under the age of two years, children having the first or more than the fourth order among their siblings, and those who suffered a diarrheal attack, vomiting, grunting, or chest in drawing within two weeks preceding the survey, among children completely weaned after the age of 24 months and those from a low socioeconomic level. Stunting was highest among younger children from extended families. Children who suffered a chronic disease were more likely to be wasted (13.2%).

CONCLUSION: An understanding of the risk factors for anemia and malnutrition among a population is fundamental to provide efficient preventive and control measures.