Iron deficiency anaemia in children of a peri-urban health facility

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia(IDA) and its risk factors. Design: A cross -sectional survey. Setting: A peri-urban health centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects: Four hundred and three children, aged six months to six years. Intervention: Demographic data were obtained and each child examined for signs of iron deficiency anaemia. Blood was drawn for haemoglobin determination. Main outcome measure: The diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia was made using a pre-defined criteria. Results: Iron deficiency anaemia had a prevalence of 7.4% (95% CI=4.8-10.0) and was predominantly mild (93.6%). Age was found to be significantly associated with iron deficiency anaemia with a prevalence of (14.6%) in infants. No association was found between IDA and sex, birthweight, weaning age and weaning diet, sanitation, water source or mother's education. Conclusion: The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in this health facility was relatively low and was predominantly mild.