الملخص الإنجليزي
Anemia is one of the most common diseases among children and is
considered a global health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO)
estimation in 2011 indicated that the highest prevalence of anemia was in children
aged 6–59 months (42.6%, 95% CI: 37–47). In Oman, anemia in children aged 6–59
months is classified as a severe public health problem with a prevalence of 41%
(95% CI: 18–63). Although anemia in children represents a challenging health
concern in Oman, no studies have been conducted to examine anemia risk factors
among Omani children. Such studies might contribute to formulating prevention and
mitigation actions to address anemia in Oman. Therefore, this study examined child
and maternal risk factors associated with anemia and hemoglobin (Hb) among Omani
children aged 6–23 months.
The study used the most recent data from the Oman National Nutrition
Survey (ONNS) 2017. A total of 679 child-mother pairs were included in the study.
Anemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL) and Hb concentration (g/dL) were the dependent variables
examined in the study. The study examined the distribution of anemia across
different groups of independent variables. Bivariate logistic regressions were
performed to assess the association between anemia and different child, maternal,
and household factors. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed
to examine the effect of child dietary diversity on Hb levels after controlling for child
and maternal factors. Furthermore, two-way ANCOVA was performed to examine
the effect of child dietary diversity and age on Hb after controlling for child and
maternal factors.
The prevalence of anemia in the study children was 36.5% with a mean Hb
concentration of 11.2 ± 1.13 g/dL. A significant negative association was found
between the age of children and anemia (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99, p = .01).
The remaining factors (child dietary diversity, weight-for-height Z-score, gender,
birthweight, family size, and family monthly income) showed no significant
association with anemia (p >.05). Similarly, the one-way ANCOVA test revealed no
significant effect of child dietary diversity on Hb after controlling for child and
maternal factors (p >.05). Finally, the two-way ANCOVA also revealed no
significant effect of the interaction of child diet (dietary diversity) and age on Hb
after controlling for child and maternal factors (p >.05).
In conclusion, the prevalence of anemia among Omani children aged 6–23
months was high. Only child age was identified to have a significant negative
relationship with anemia. Despite controlling for different child/maternal factors, Hb
was not influenced by dietary diversity or age. Therefore, further studies and surveys
are required to identify other factors shaping the high prevalence of anemia at this
critical age in Oman.
