Anemia and associated factors among 6-59 months age children attending health facilities in Northeast Ethiopia: A facility based cross sectional study

BackgroundIn the early stages of life, anemia leads to severe negative consequences on the cognitive, growth and development of children. The Ethiopian demographic and health survey showed an increasing trend of anemia nationally. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess the magnitude and factors associated with anemia among under-five children. MethodsA health facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 409 systematically selected children 6-59 months attending services at public and private health institutions in Kombolcha Town, Northeast Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questioner from mother or caretakers. The data entry and analysis were done by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was fitted to determine associations. The odds ratio with the 95% confidence intervals were reported. ResultsFrom the total participant 213(53.9%) were males with the mean age of 26 months (SD+15.2). The overall prevalence of anemia was 52.2% (95% CI, 46.8%-57%). Being in the age of 6-11 months (AOR= 6.23, 95% CI: 2.44, 15.95), 12-23 months (AOR= 3.74, 95%CI: 1.63, 8.60), maternal age [≥]30 years (AOR=0.37 (0.18, 0.77), exclusive breast feeding until six months (AOR=0.27, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.45), having low dietary diversity score (AOR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.55, 4.38), having history of diarrhea (AOR= 1.87, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.12) and having the lowest family monthly income (AOR=16.97, 95% CI: 4.95, 58.20) were identified as factors associated with anemia. ConclusionThe magnitude of anemia in children was a public health problem in the study area. child age, maternal age, exclusive breastfeeding, dietary diversity score, diarrhea and family income were found to be associated with anemia.