Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria
Introduction. Child mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa is 29 times higher than that in industrialized countries. Anemia is one of the preventable causes of child morbidity. During a humanitarian medical mission in rural South-Eastern Nigeria, the prevalence and risk factors of anemia were determin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Pediatrics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9457981 |
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| author | Sean Buck Kevin Rolnick Amanda A. Nwaba Jens Eickhoff Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue Emma Esenwah Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi |
| author_facet | Sean Buck Kevin Rolnick Amanda A. Nwaba Jens Eickhoff Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue Emma Esenwah Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi |
| author_sort | Sean Buck |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction. Child mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa is 29 times higher than that in industrialized countries. Anemia is one of the preventable causes of child morbidity. During a humanitarian medical mission in rural South-Eastern Nigeria, the prevalence and risk factors of anemia were determined in the region in order to identify strategies for reduction. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done on 96 children aged 1-7 years from 50 randomly selected families. A study questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socioeconomic status, family health practices, and nutrition. Anemia was diagnosed clinically or by point of care testing of hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Results. 96 children were selected for the study; 90 completed surveys were analyzed (43% male and 57% females). Anemia was the most prevalent clinical morbidity (69%), followed by intestinal worm infection (53%) and malnutrition (29%). Mean age (months) at which breastfeeding was stopped was 11.8 (±2.2) in children with Hb <11mg/dl (severe anemia), 10.5±2.8 in those with Hb = 11-11.9mg/dl (mild-moderate anemia), and 9.4±3.9 in children with Hb >12mg/dl (no anemia) (P=0.0445). Conclusions. The longer the infant was breastfed, the worse the severity of childhood anemia was. Childhood anemia was likely influenced by the low iron content of breast milk in addition to maternal anemia and poor nutrition. A family-centered preventive intervention for both maternal and infant nutrition may be more effective in reducing childhood anemia and child mortality rate in the community. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2b28c01484a74295bd51c31792248a0d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9740 1687-9759 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-2b28c01484a74295bd51c31792248a0d2025-02-03T01:28:36ZengWileyInternational Journal of Pediatrics1687-97401687-97592019-01-01201910.1155/2019/94579819457981Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern NigeriaSean Buck0Kevin Rolnick1Amanda A. Nwaba2Jens Eickhoff3Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue4Emma Esenwah5Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi6Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI, USADepartment of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI, USAVanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USADepartment of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI, USAMezu International Foundation, Pikesville, MD, USAFederal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, NigeriaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI, USAIntroduction. Child mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa is 29 times higher than that in industrialized countries. Anemia is one of the preventable causes of child morbidity. During a humanitarian medical mission in rural South-Eastern Nigeria, the prevalence and risk factors of anemia were determined in the region in order to identify strategies for reduction. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done on 96 children aged 1-7 years from 50 randomly selected families. A study questionnaire was used to collect information regarding socioeconomic status, family health practices, and nutrition. Anemia was diagnosed clinically or by point of care testing of hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Results. 96 children were selected for the study; 90 completed surveys were analyzed (43% male and 57% females). Anemia was the most prevalent clinical morbidity (69%), followed by intestinal worm infection (53%) and malnutrition (29%). Mean age (months) at which breastfeeding was stopped was 11.8 (±2.2) in children with Hb <11mg/dl (severe anemia), 10.5±2.8 in those with Hb = 11-11.9mg/dl (mild-moderate anemia), and 9.4±3.9 in children with Hb >12mg/dl (no anemia) (P=0.0445). Conclusions. The longer the infant was breastfed, the worse the severity of childhood anemia was. Childhood anemia was likely influenced by the low iron content of breast milk in addition to maternal anemia and poor nutrition. A family-centered preventive intervention for both maternal and infant nutrition may be more effective in reducing childhood anemia and child mortality rate in the community.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9457981 |
| spellingShingle | Sean Buck Kevin Rolnick Amanda A. Nwaba Jens Eickhoff Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue Emma Esenwah Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria International Journal of Pediatrics |
| title | Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria |
| title_full | Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria |
| title_short | Longer Breastfeeding Associated with Childhood Anemia in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria |
| title_sort | longer breastfeeding associated with childhood anemia in rural south eastern nigeria |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9457981 |
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