ABSTRACT

Anaemia is a public health problem that affects about 2 billion people worldwide. It is highly prevalent in developing countries with its prevalence; three to four times higher than that of developed countries as 53% school-age children is estimated to be suffering from anaemia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia, determine the most prevalent type of anaemia and determine the factors responsible for the occurrence of anaemia. A study was conducted on 329 folders of children aged 1-5 years that attended UNTH, Ituku Ozalla between the periods of Jan. 2014-June, 2016. A proforma was constructed and used to gather information on the socio demographic characteristics. Results of blood samples for haemoglobin estimation and malaria parasite examination were collected. Anthropometric measurements of the studied cases were also taken. Entry of data, cleaning and analysis was done using descriptive Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS). Of the 329 studied cases, 303(97.0%) were anaemic. The malarial parasitic load of the studied cases was (60.7%) and the most prevalent types of anaemia were iron deficiency anaemia which affected 165(54.4%) of the studied population and Sickle cell anaemia which affected 60(19.8%) of the studied population. Various factors were seen to be responsible for the occurrence of anaemia some of which include; inadequate iron intake, maternal level of education etc. Anaemia was significantly associated with inadequate iron intake and the presence of parasites. It is recommended that health programmmes should be initiated to ensure free iron supplementation to children between the ages of 1-5 years as well as proper nutrition education.