Anemia Prevalence and its Associated Risk Factors using Ten East African Countries: A Recent data from Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia, defined as a low level of hemoglobin in the blood, is a sign of inadequate nutrition as well as poor health in children. It affects about 269 million (39.8%) children under the age of five worldwide and it is a significant risk factor for poor health and nutrition in children. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Eastern Africa. Methods: The research was conducted between 2010 and 2023 across ten East African countries. To identify potential factors associated with anemia, a multilevel logistic regression model was used. Results: The prevalence of anemia in Eastern Africa was 54.26%, with the highest in Tanzania (70.32%) and the lowest in Rwanda (36.64%). A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model revealed that factors like child age in months 12-23 (AOR = 0.623; 95% CI: 0.581-0.669), female (AOR = 0.914; 95% CI: 0.880-0.949), stunted (AOR =1.289; 95% CI: 1.234-1.347), underweight (AOR = 1.232; 95% CI: 1.163-1.306), two under-five children (AOR=1.068; 95% CI: 1.023- 1.116), 2-3 birth order (AOR=1.096; 95% CI:1.034-1.162), having fever (AOR=1.410; 95% CI: 1.343-1.481), having diarrhea (AOR=1.066; 95% CI: 1.009-1.125), vitamin A supplementation (AOR =0.899; 95% CI: 0.863-0.937), primary educated mother (AOR=0.819; 95% CI: 0.775-0.865), anemic mother (AOR =1.844; 95% CI: 1.768-1.923), toilet facility (AOR = 0.879; 95% CI = 0.835-0.926), middle wealth index (AOR =0.876; 95% CI: 0.830-0.925), mother had occupation (AOR=0.930;95%CI: 0.892-0.971) and high community poverty (AOR = 1.047; 95% CI: 1.006-1.089) were significantly associated with anemia in Eastern Africa. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among children aged 6–59 months was still high in the region, indicating a continuing public health concern. Child age, sex, nutritional status (stunting and underweight), recent illness (feverand diarrhea), maternal education, anemia status, and occupation, household wealth, toilet facilities, vitamin A supplementation, and community poverty levels have statistically significant association with anemia. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions targeting both child nutrition and broader socio-economic and environmental determinants to effectively reduce the burden of anemia in the region.