THỰC TRẠNG THIẾU MÁU Ở TRẺ EM DƯỚI 5 TUỔI TẠI BỆNH VIỆN SẢN - NHI TỈNH TRÀ VINH

Abstract

Background: "Anemia is a public health problem with huge consequences for human health." It affects cognitive development, academic performance, physical activity, movement, behavioral growth and immune function against disease in young children and it is a problem that negatively affects health as increases morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the rate of anemia and some related factors in children under five years old at Tra Vinh Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital in 2023. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study was based on medical examination records with 384 children under five years old and interviews their direct caregivers/mothers at Tra Vinh Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital between June and August 2023. Results: As a result, 35.42% children under 5 years old had anemia, and several factors related to anemia were identified as child's ethnicity (PR = 1.69, CI 95%: 1.15-2.51, p=0.008), children are not exclusively breastfed in the first 6 months (PR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.15-1.96, p=0.03), children do not eat foods rich in iron (PR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.36-2.61, p=0.002), children do not eat fruits high in Vitamin C (PR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.13-2.80, p=0.072), frequency of eating fruits high in Vitamin C and mothers not taking enough iron and folic acid tablets during pregnancy (PR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.27-2.63, p<0.001). Conclusions: The rate of anemia in children under 5 years old is 35.42% and nutritional factors are related to anemia in children, so the health sector needs to communicate with parents and caregivers to improve children's knowledge of nutrition and diet.