Assessment of Anaemia and Its Predictors among Children under Five in southern West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: Anaemia continues to pose a serious health challenge among young children below five years of age, predominantly in economically disadvantaged and resource-limited areas of India. It adversely affects physical growth, cognitive development, and immunity. Feeding practices, socio-demographic characteristics, and a child’s prior illness history are important determinants of overall child health and growth outcomes. Objective: To assess the enormity of anaemia and examine its association with feeding practices, socio demographic characteristics, and child prior illness history under 5 years children in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. Methods: A community-oriented cross-sectional study was performed involving children between 1 and 5 years of age. Data regarding socio-demographic details, maternal characteristics, birth history, and child feeding patterns were gathered using a predesigned questionnaire and interview method. Haemoglobin levels were assessed to determine anaemia status. To examine the association of anaemia with other factors, the Chi-square test was utilized. Results: Anaemia was observed in 86.3% of the study population, with moderate anaemia (52.0%) constituting the largest proportion. A higher proportion of female children (89.9%) were affected compared to males (83.0%), particularly in the 24–59 months age groups. Significant associations were identified with maternal occupation, maternal education, birth weight, and mode of delivery (p < 0.05). Dietary assessment demonstrated a marked inadequacy of iron intake despite adequate protein consumption, underscoring insufficient dietary iron as a major contributing factor. Conclusion: Anaemia affects a substantial percentage of children between 1to 5 years in the study area, with moderate anaemia being the predominant form. Sociodemographic factors, birth characteristics, and feeding behaviors contribute to anaemia status. The marked inadequacy of dietary iron intake underscores the need for strengthened nutritional interventions, dietary diversification, and early screening to reduce the percentage of anaemia within the under-five age group facing increased health vulnerability.