Peter A M Ntenda, Mfundi P S Motsa, Jane K Ntenda, Rex B Mbewe, Fentanesh N Tiruneh
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Poor iron status is a common nutritional condition affecting preschool-age children (PSC) in low-income countries like Malawi. This study aimed to examine the determinants of iron deficiency (ID), functional iron deficiency (FID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among Malawian PSC.
Methods: The study analysed data from the 2015-2016 Malawi Micronutrients Survey, which collected information from a nationally representative sample of PSC across Malawi. Iron status was evaluated through biochemical markers, including serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors and haemoglobin levels. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with iron status.
Results: The prevalence of ID was 19.6%, FID was 50.3% and IDA was 4.7%. Males had higher odds of both ID and FID compared with females. Children <36 months of age were at significantly greater risk for ID, FID and IDA compared with children ages 48-59 months. Additionally, children referred for clinical malaria or those with inflammation were more likely to have ID and FID compared with those children who did not. Underweight children had a higher risk of both ID and IDA compared with children who were well nourished. Living in rural areas or the southern region of Malawi further increased the likelihood of developing ID compared with children from urban areas and the northern region.
Conclusions: The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare initiatives addressing nutritional deficiencies and malaria prevention in vulnerable groups, particularly young children in rural areas.
背景:在马拉维等低收入国家,缺铁是影响学龄前儿童(PSC)的常见营养状况。本研究旨在研究马拉维PSC中缺铁(ID)、功能性缺铁(FID)和缺铁性贫血(IDA)的决定因素。方法:该研究分析了2015-2016年马拉维微量营养素调查的数据,该调查收集了马拉维全国具有代表性的PSC样本的信息。通过生化指标评估铁状态,包括血清铁蛋白、可溶性转铁蛋白受体和血红蛋白水平。进行逻辑回归分析以确定与铁状态相关的独立因素。结果:id19.6%, FID 50.3%, IDA 4.7%。与女性相比,男性的ID和FID的几率更高。结论:该研究强调需要采取综合保健举措,解决弱势群体,特别是农村地区幼儿的营养缺乏和疟疾预防问题。
期刊介绍:
International Health is an official journal of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. It publishes original, peer-reviewed articles and reviews on all aspects of global health including the social and economic aspects of communicable and non-communicable diseases, health systems research, policy and implementation, and the evaluation of disease control programmes and healthcare delivery solutions.
It aims to stimulate scientific and policy debate and provide a forum for analysis and opinion sharing for individuals and organisations engaged in all areas of global health.