Anemia Among Preschool-aged Children in Nepal: Variations in National Prevalence and Strength of Associated Risk Factors from 2013 to 2016 (P10-049-19)

• Published in: Current developments in nutrition 2019-06, Vol.3 (Suppl 1), p.nzz034.P10-049-19, Article nzz034.P10-049-19
• Main Authors: Pasqualino, Monica, Thorne-Lyman, Andrew, Manohar, Swetha, Angela, KC, Klemm, Rolf DW, West Jr, Keith P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Global Nutrition
• ISSN: 2475-2991; 2475-2991
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzz034.P10-049-19

To investigate national trends in the prevalence of anemia among children and the stability of factors associated with anemia in Nepal. A series of nationally representative mid-year surveys was conducted in the same 63 wards across the mountains, hills, and Tarai of Nepal in 2013, 2014, and 2016. Each survey collected data on community, household, and individual factors to explore associations with agricultural practices and nutritional outcomes. Data were collected from consenting households that had children under 5 years, among whom a random sample was selected each year for anemia assessment using a Hb 201 + hemoglobinometer (HemoCue AB, Angelholm, Sweden), with n = 861, 794, and 837 children in each survey, respectively. Odds ratios were estimated and prevalence for 2014 and 2016 was standardized to the 2013 national surveyed population distribution. The national prevalence of anemia among children aged 0–59 months significantly decreased from 64.6% (95% CI: 61.3%, 67.8%) in 2013 to 51.8% (95% CI: 48.2%, 55.3%) in 2014 and then increased to 58.7% (95% CI: 55.2%, 62.0%) in 2016. Across all years, the prevalence was highest in the Tarai (57.9–70.7%) followed by the mountains (50.4–61.0%) and hills (37.6–52.0%). Within each region, the trend in prevalence followed that of the national prevalence, decreasing significantly from 2013 to 2014 and increasing in 2016. Nationally and across time, univariate analysis revealed child age