Anemia among children and adolescents in a rural area
Abstract
Background Anemia in children and adolescents affects growthand development. It is a preventable disease, but unfortunately is
often ignored until the symptoms occur. There have been limited
reports on the prevalence of anemia in children and adolescents
in Indonesia, especially from rural areas.
Objective To describe the prevalence of anemia in children and
adolescents in district ofMalinau, a rural area in East Kalimantan
Province.
Methods This cross-sectional study was done in June 20 10 using
laboratory records between July 2009 to January 20 10. Laboratory
records of patients aged between 6 months and 18 years which
investigated were complete blood count (CBC) from ambulatory,
inpatient, and emergency care ofMalinau Public Hospital in East
Kalimantan. Mentzer and England & Fraser indices were used to
differentiate iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia among
microcytic hypochromic anemic patients.
Results This study involved 709 laboratory records. Prevalence
of anemia was 53 .9% (95% CI 50.2% to 57 .5%) . The prevalence
of IDA among age groups were as follows: 29.4% (95% CI 24.3
to 34.5%) in 6- 59 months group, 16% (95% CI 11 to 21 %) in
5- 11.9 years, and 15.2% (95% CI 10.2 to 20.2%) in 12- 18 years.
Children aged 6- 59 months tended to have more anemia th an
those aged 5- 11.9 years (OR 2. 184, 95% CI 1.398 to 3.413) or
aged 12- 18 years (OR 2.3 19, 95% CI 1.464 to 3.674).
Conclusion T he prevalence of an emia in children and
adolescents of the Malinau Regency is 53 .9% (95% CI 50.2 to
57.5%), quite similar to that of other developing countries . A
government program to overcome anemia is recommended, n ot
only for pregnant women, but also for children and adolescents.
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Accepted 2016-08-17
Published 2014-04-30
