Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anemia among Children 6–59 Months Old in Haiti

Anemia has serious consequences on child growth, development, and survival. This study was conducted in Fond des Blancs and Villa, Haiti, to assess the prevalence of childhood anemia and its risk factors in order to inform program design. Children 6–59 months old ( ) were selected using a cross-sectional multistage sampling methodology. Hemoglobin was measured using the HemoCue technique. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prevalence and factors associated with anemia. The prevalence of childhood anemia was 38.8% (23.9% mild, 14.7% moderate, and 0.2% severe). Mean hemoglobin was ？g/dL. Variables associated with child anemia were age less than 24 months ( ; ), stunting ( ; ), and mother’s low hemoglobin level ( ; ). Anemia among young children in Fond des Blancs and Villa is a public health problem. Predictors of child anemia in this region include child’s age, stunting, and mother’s anemia. Interventions and strategies aimed at addressing effectively anemia in this population must therefore target mothers and children under two years of age. 1. Introduction Childhood anemia is a major public health problem worldwide. It is associated with serious consequences including growth retardation, impaired motor and cognitive development, and increased morbidity and mortality [1]. Estimates suggest that 47.4% of children under five years of age are anemic globally [2]. In Haiti, the 2005-2006 nationally representative survey showed that 60.6% of children 6–59 months (approximately 610,000 children) and 75% of 6–23 months were anemic [3]. Data on childhood anemia and its predictors are lacking in Haiti. This hinders the design of programs and limits their effectiveness. This study was hence carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors of childhood anemia in Fond des Blancs and Villa, a socioeconomically disadvantaged, remote, mountainous region where the Health Department, UNICEF, and Saint Boniface Foundation planned to implement a community-based mother and child nutrition program. Therefore, the study was designed to initiate new activities to prevent childhood anemia in this region in addition to iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant women and vitamin A + albendazole for children 6–59 months. These new activities include intense promotion of optimal breastfeeding practices and hand washing with soap, large distribution of multiple micronutrient powders to children older than 6 months, improved availability of safe drinking water, and improved availability and utilization of latrines. 2. Materials and