Prevalence of anemia among under-5 children in the Ghanaian population: estimates from the Ghana demographic and health survey

BMC Public Health

Jemila S Hamid²  Joseph Beyene²  Clement Ahiadeke¹  Joycelyne E Ewusie³ 

[1] Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana;Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada;Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4 K1, Canada

关键词: Ghana demographic and health survey;    Ghana;    Children;    Micronutrient deficiency;    Prevalence;    Anemia;   

Others  :  1129183
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-626

 received in 2013-10-22, accepted in 2014-06-12,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Anemia in children continues to be a major public health challenge in most developing countries, particularly in Africa. Anemia in the early stages of life leads to severe negative consequences on the cognitive as well as the growth and development of children, which may persist even after treatment. We examine the prevalence of anemia in under-five children in the Ghanaian population to help inform and serve as a guide to health policies and possible interventions.

Methods

Data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) was used. Data consists of health, demographic and socio-economic factors. Anemia status was determined using hemoglobin level, and prevalence of childhood anemia along with 95% confidence intervals was provided. We also examined the distribution of prevalence across different age and socio-demographic groups as well as the different regions and sub-regions in Ghana.

Results

The overall prevalence of anemia in under-five children in Ghana was 78.4% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 76.7-80.2), where 7.8% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 6.6-8.9) of the children had severe anemia, 48.0% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 45.9-50.2) moderate anemia and 22.6% (N = 2168, 95% CI: 20.8-24.4) had mild anemia. The highest prevalence regions were the Upper East, 88.9% (N = 158, 95% CI: 80.9-94.0), and Upper West 88.1% (N = 220, 95% CI: 76.4-94.6). The prevalence was also higher among children under 2 years of age, 85.1% (N = 781, 95% CI: 82.6-87.7) than children 2–5 years of age, 74.8% (N = 1387, 95% CI: 72.5-77.1). No significant difference in prevalence between boys and girls was observed.

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of childhood anemia observed in Ghana, particularly among those less than 2 years old, and given the negative consequences on their cognitive and behavioral development even in later years, there is an urgent need for effective and efficient public health interventions.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Ewusie et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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