Background: Anemia, characterized by insufficient healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, poses a significant global public health challenge, particularly affecting preschool-aged children. This condition can lead to tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath, and in children, it adversely impacts mental, physical, and social development. Globally, a substantial proportion of preschool children suffer from anemia, with prevalence varying across regions. In India, anemia in children remains a major concern, with national surveys indicating a high burden. This study aimed to assess the level of anemia in under-five children admitted to the pediatric ward of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kuppam, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. The study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. The population of the study comprised children aged between 6 months and 54 months who were admitted to the pediatric wards of the hospital. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of 175 children who met the inclusion criteria. Data on demographic variables and hemoglobin levels were collected from the participants. The level of anemia was classified based on WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis, including frequency, percentage distribution, and chi-square tests, was performed to assess the level of anemia and its association with demographic variables. Results: The study revealed that a significant proportion of the admitted under-five children suffered from anemia. The majority of the children, 82 (47%), had mild anemia, while 53 (30%) were classified as anemic (hemoglobin <11 g/dL), 32 (18%) had moderate anemia, and 8 (5%) had severe anemia. Analysis of demographic variables indicated that the sex of the caregiver, the breadwinner of the family, and the family size had a statistically significant association with the level of anemia. Specifically, a higher proportion of anemia was observed among children whose caregivers were male, where the breadwinner was female, and in families with a nuclear structure. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the considerable prevalence of anemia, predominantly mild anemia, among under-five children admitted to the tertiary care hospital in Kuppam. The significant associations between anemia levels and certain demographic variables underscore the importance of considering these factors in developing targeted interventions to address childhood anemia in this region. Enhancing knowledge regarding anemia among caregivers through various channels is crucial for improving child health outcomes.

Keywords: Anemia, Under-five children, Prevalence, Demographic variables, Tertiary care hospital.

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1. World Bank. (2009). World Bank Report on Malnutrition in India. Retrieved from [Source: The World Bank 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-13. World Bank Report on Malnutrition in India Bank Report on Malnutrition in India. Jump up ^ "2015.]*
2. International Food Policy Research Institute. (2014). Global Hunger Index Report (PDF).
3. Garg, S. (2014). Soy and its supplements in combating malnutrition and lifestyle disorders. J Innov Biol, 1(3), 126-131.
4. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., et al. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532–2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_
5. Santos, R. F., Gonzalez, E. S., Albuquerque, E. C., et al. (2011). Prevalence of anemia in under five-year-old children in a children’s hospital in Recife, Brazil. Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter, 33(2), 100–104. https://doi.org/10.5581/1516-8484.20110028
6. Aliyo, A., & Jibril, A. (2022). Anemia and Associated Factors Among Under Five Year Old Children Who Attended Bule Hora General Hospital in West Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Blood Medicine, 13, 395–406. https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S363876
7. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., et al. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
8. Du, Y., Liao, Y., Leng, F., et al. (2022). Anaemia prevalence and its associated factors in children under 5 years in Western China: a systematic review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 6(e001185). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001185
9. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., et al. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532-2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_21
10. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., et al. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
11. Mboya, I. B., Mamseri, R., Leyaro, B. J., et al. (2023). Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among children under five years of age in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research, 9, 1102.
12. Kundu, S., Alam, S. S., Mia, M. A., Hossan, T., Hider, P., Khalil, M. I., Musa, K. I., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Prevalence of Anemia among Children and Adolescents of Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 1786. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031786
13. Gebreweld, A., Ali, N., Ali, R., & Fisha, T. (2019). Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among children under five years of age attending at Guguftu health center, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia. PLoS One, 14(7), e0218961. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218961
14. Kejo, D., Petrucka, P. M., Martin, H., Kimanya, M. E., & Mosha, T. C. (2018). Prevalence and predictors of anemia among children under 5 years of age in Arusha District, Tanzania. Pediatric Health and Medicine Therapeutics, 9, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.2147/PHMT.S148515
15. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., Verma, R., Singh, T., Yadav, G., Kumar, M., & Kumar, A. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532-2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_21
16. Dutta, M., Bhise, M., Prashad, L., Chaurasia, H., & Debnath, P. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors of anemia among children 6–59 months in India: A multilevel analysis. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 8(3), 868-878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.02.015
17. Du, Y., Liao, Y., Leng, F., et al. (2022). Anaemia prevalence and its associated factors in children under 5 years in Western China: a systematic review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 6(e001185). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001185
18. Rahman, M. H. U., Chauhan, S., Patel, R., Boro, B., Anwar, T., Kumar, P., Muhammad, T., & Srivastava, S. (2020). Anaemia among Indian children: A study of prevalence and associated factors among 5–9 years old. Children and Youth Services Review, 119(C).
19. Aliyo, A., & Jibril, A. (2022). Anemia and Associated Factors Among Under Five Year Old Children Who Attended Bule Hora General Hospital in West Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Blood Medicine, 13, 395–406. https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S363876
20. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., Tadesse, A. W., Hussien, F. M., Feleke, Y. W., Anagaw, M. Y., & Ayele, F. Y. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
21. Mboya, I. B., Mamseri, R., Leyaro, B. J., George, J., Msuya, S. E., & Mgongo, M. (2020). Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among children under five years of age in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania. F1000Research, 9, 1102. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24707.

Background: Anemia, characterized by insufficient healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, poses a significant global public health challenge, particularly affecting preschool-aged children. This condition can lead to tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath, and in children, it adversely impacts mental, physical, and social development. Globally, a substantial proportion of preschool children suffer from anemia, with prevalence varying across regions. In India, anemia in children remains a major concern, with national surveys indicating a high burden. This study aimed to assess the level of anemia in under-five children admitted to the pediatric ward of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kuppam, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. The study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. The population of the study comprised children aged between 6 months and 54 months who were admitted to the pediatric wards of the hospital. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of 175 children who met the inclusion criteria. Data on demographic variables and hemoglobin levels were collected from the participants. The level of anemia was classified based on WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis, including frequency, percentage distribution, and chi-square tests, was performed to assess the level of anemia and its association with demographic variables. Results: The study revealed that a significant proportion of the admitted under-five children suffered from anemia. The majority of the children, 82 (47%), had mild anemia, while 53 (30%) were classified as anemic (hemoglobin <11 g/dL), 32 (18%) had moderate anemia, and 8 (5%) had severe anemia. Analysis of demographic variables indicated that the sex of the caregiver, the breadwinner of the family, and the family size had a statistically significant association with the level of anemia. Specifically, a higher proportion of anemia was observed among children whose caregivers were male, where the breadwinner was female, and in families with a nuclear structure. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the considerable prevalence of anemia, predominantly mild anemia, among under-five children admitted to the tertiary care hospital in Kuppam. The significant associations between anemia levels and certain demographic variables underscore the importance of considering these factors in developing targeted interventions to address childhood anemia in this region. Enhancing knowledge regarding anemia among caregivers through various channels is crucial for improving child health outcomes.

Keywords: Anemia, Under-five children, Prevalence, Demographic variables, Tertiary care hospital.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. World Bank. (2009). World Bank Report on Malnutrition in India. Retrieved from [Source: The World Bank 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-13. World Bank Report on Malnutrition in India Bank Report on Malnutrition in India. Jump up ^ "2015.]*
2. International Food Policy Research Institute. (2014). Global Hunger Index Report (PDF).
3. Garg, S. (2014). Soy and its supplements in combating malnutrition and lifestyle disorders. J Innov Biol, 1(3), 126-131.
4. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., et al. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532–2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_
5. Santos, R. F., Gonzalez, E. S., Albuquerque, E. C., et al. (2011). Prevalence of anemia in under five-year-old children in a children’s hospital in Recife, Brazil. Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter, 33(2), 100–104. https://doi.org/10.5581/1516-8484.20110028
6. Aliyo, A., & Jibril, A. (2022). Anemia and Associated Factors Among Under Five Year Old Children Who Attended Bule Hora General Hospital in West Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Blood Medicine, 13, 395–406. https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S363876
7. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., et al. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
8. Du, Y., Liao, Y., Leng, F., et al. (2022). Anaemia prevalence and its associated factors in children under 5 years in Western China: a systematic review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 6(e001185). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001185
9. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., et al. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532-2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_21
10. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., et al. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
11. Mboya, I. B., Mamseri, R., Leyaro, B. J., et al. (2023). Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among children under five years of age in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research, 9, 1102.
12. Kundu, S., Alam, S. S., Mia, M. A., Hossan, T., Hider, P., Khalil, M. I., Musa, K. I., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Prevalence of Anemia among Children and Adolescents of Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 1786. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031786
13. Gebreweld, A., Ali, N., Ali, R., & Fisha, T. (2019). Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among children under five years of age attending at Guguftu health center, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia. PLoS One, 14(7), e0218961. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218961
14. Kejo, D., Petrucka, P. M., Martin, H., Kimanya, M. E., & Mosha, T. C. (2018). Prevalence and predictors of anemia among children under 5 years of age in Arusha District, Tanzania. Pediatric Health and Medicine Therapeutics, 9, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.2147/PHMT.S148515
15. Kalhan, M., Kaushal, P., Chayal, V., Verma, R., Singh, T., Yadav, G., Kumar, M., & Kumar, A. (2022). Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(6), 2532-2536. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1469_21
16. Dutta, M., Bhise, M., Prashad, L., Chaurasia, H., & Debnath, P. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors of anemia among children 6–59 months in India: A multilevel analysis. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 8(3), 868-878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.02.015
17. Du, Y., Liao, Y., Leng, F., et al. (2022). Anaemia prevalence and its associated factors in children under 5 years in Western China: a systematic review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 6(e001185). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001185
18. Rahman, M. H. U., Chauhan, S., Patel, R., Boro, B., Anwar, T., Kumar, P., Muhammad, T., & Srivastava, S. (2020). Anaemia among Indian children: A study of prevalence and associated factors among 5–9 years old. Children and Youth Services Review, 119(C).
19. Aliyo, A., & Jibril, A. (2022). Anemia and Associated Factors Among Under Five Year Old Children Who Attended Bule Hora General Hospital in West Guji zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Blood Medicine, 13, 395–406. https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S363876
20. Tadesse, S. E., Zerga, A. A., Mekonnen, T. C., Tadesse, A. W., Hussien, F. M., Feleke, Y. W., Anagaw, M. Y., & Ayele, F. Y. (2022). Burden and Determinants of Anemia among Under-Five Children in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anemia, 2022, 1382940. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1382940
21. Mboya, I. B., Mamseri, R., Leyaro, B. J., George, J., Msuya, S. E., & Mgongo, M. (2020). Prevalence and factors associated with anemia among children under five years of age in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania. F1000Research, 9, 1102. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.24707.