Prevalence of Anemia and Undernutrition of Adolescent Females in Selected Schools in Ghana

Anemia among adolescent females is a major worldwide public health problem which should be given appropriate attention. Half of all anemic cases are caused by iron deficiency. In addition to anemia, poor nutrition is also a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among adolescent females in school. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 adolescent females in four basic schools in the Ahafo region of Ghana. The hemoglobin level and anthropometry measures of participants were taken to determine their anemic and nutritional status. The prevalence of anemia among adolescent females in school was 50.3%. Out of the 151 participants, 6.6%, 19.9%, and 23.8% were severely anemic, moderately anemic, or mildly anemic, respectively. Only 2% of the participants were underweight, but the rate of stunting was 26.5%. The notable high prevalence of anemia that was found among adolescent females was correlated with other health and wellness concerns. Anemia and under nutrition negatively affect academic performance, productivity, and general wellbeing of adolescents; therefore, effective measures should be put in place to correct and eradicate these nutritional problems.

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High-Prevalence Stunting in Preschool Children (1–5 Years) Attending Selected Health Centers in a Food Rich Area-Bushenyi District Southwestern Uganda

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2021/5736864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Douglas Mugarura ◽

Herbert Izo Ninsiima ◽

Hellen Kinyi ◽

Ejike Daniel Eze ◽

Sam Tumwesigire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Centers ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Development Goals ◽

Chronic Undernutrition ◽

Sub Saharan

The prevalence of stunting among children in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa is still high, and if Uganda is to achieve the food-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must urgently invest in improving nutrition and sanitation. In a food rich area like Bushenyi, chronic undernutrition could be due to several other factors than mere scarcity of food. The Objective(s). This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and socioclinical factors responsible for chronic undernutrition (stunting) among preschool children aged 1–5 years in selected Health facilities in Bushenyi district. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children aged 1–5 years attending selected health centers in Bushenyi District. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, taking anthropometric measurements (height/length), and stool analysis for eggs of soil-transmitted helminthes. Prevalence of stunting was presented as percentages. Logistic regression with adjusted prevalence ratio was performed to test the association between the sociodemographic and clinical factors and stunting at bivariate levels of analysis. Results. Most of the children were female, with a median age of 2.1 years and resided in semiurban areas of Bushenyi with their parents. Prevalence of stunting was 89.3%. Only 10.7% of the children were infested with soil-transmitted helminthes. Children likely to be stunted were those who drank unboiled water and were exclusively breastfed. Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition in Bushenyi district associated with parents’/care takers’ low level of knowledge.

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Preterm birth and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

British Journal of Midwifery ◽

10.12968/bjom.2021.29.6.338 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 338-345

Author(s):

Alekaw Sema ◽

Nigus Kassie ◽

Bezabih Amsalu ◽

Yalelet Belay ◽

Alemu Guta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eastern Ethiopia ◽

Dire Dawa ◽

Sub Saharan

Background The highest rate of preterm birth in the world is in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, there is limited data in this study area. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of preterm birth in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia. Method An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 420 respondents. Conclusion Preterm birth is still a major public health problem in Dire Dawa City.

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Prevalence of anaemia and visual impairment among primary school children of Ahmedabad City, Gujarat: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20172672 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 1394

Author(s):

Geet Gunjana ◽

Nisha Upadhyay ◽

Grishma Dixit ◽

Nilesh Thakor

Keyword(s):

Visual Impairment ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Age Children ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutritional Anemia ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Of Anemia

Background: Nutritional anemia and visual impairment among school age children are recognized as public health problem worldwide. The objective of the study was to prevalence of anemia and visual impairment among school going adolescents of Ahmedabad city, Gujarat.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried during period from January 2012 to March 2012. 4 schools were selected by purposive sampling. After taking the permission from principals of schools and informed written consent of the parents of the children, 421 children from these schools of Ahmedabad city were examined for anemia and visual impairment. The data was collected by predesigned, pretested performa and analyzed using Epi Info.Results: Out of total 421 children 205 (48.7%) were female. Mean age of the study children was 7.9 ± 1.06 years. The prevalence of anemia in children in present study was 61.9 % (261 children). The prevalence of anemia in female (134, 62.9%) was higher than males (130, 60.1%). Moderate to severe visual impairment and blindness was 7.2% in girls and 10.5% in boys respectively and the gender difference was not statistically significant. Though 38 (8.9%) children had moderate to severe visual impairment to blindness only 10 (2.3%) children were wearing spectacles.Conclusions: High prevalence of anemia and visual impairment among these children needs great attention and health education.

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Prevalence and factors influencing anaemia among urban adolescent females, a cross sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20180505 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 976

Author(s):

J. S. Poyyamozhi ◽

Rajan Rushender ◽

G. Murali Mohan Reddy

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Adolescent Females ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Urban Adolescent ◽

Prevalence Of Anemia

Background: Despite many organized efforts by the government, adolescent anemia remains to be a major public health problem in India. The prevalence of anemia and factors influencing it in urban adolescent females is a relatively less studied aspect. Hence the current study is conducted with an objective of assessing the prevalence and factors influencing anemia among adolescent school girls living in an urban locality. Methods: The current study was a community-based cross sectional study conducted in the selected schools and colleges of Permabalur town, south India, in the field practice area of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital between June to December 2017. Total 373 adolescent girls selected by multistage simple random sampling were included in the study. The hemoglobin was assessed by cyanmethemoglobin method. Results: The prevalence of anaemia among urban adolescent girls was 41.1% (95% CI 0.36-0.46). The proportion of mild and moderate anaemia was 37% and 4.10% respectively and none had severe anaemia. Compared to upper middle class, the odds of anemia were 14.16 times more in the lower class (95% CI 4.54-44.12, p<0.001). Compared to scanty/normal bleeding, the odds of anemia were 2.943 (95% CI 1.4-3.87 p<0.05) more in girls with heavy bleeding. Age, upper lower or lower middle socio-economic strata, religion, type of family and menstrual irregularity did not have any statistically significant association with anemia. Conclusions: Anemia is highly prevalent among adolescent girls and there is a need to intensify efforts all levels to reduce the prevalence of anemia.

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Effect of Community Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene (CLTSH) Implementation program on Latrine Utilization among Adult Villagers of North Ethiopia. A Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.2.11221/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Brhane Gebremariam ◽

Kenfe Tsehaye

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Governmental Organization ◽

Sanitation And Hygiene ◽

Implementation Program ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Latrine Use

Abstract Objective Absence of latrine remains a common public health problem in most of the Sub-Saharan Africa countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the effect of community-led total sanitation and hygiene approach implementation and associated factors among villages of Laelai Maichew District, Tigray, and North Ethiopia. Results This study revealed that the rate of latrine use in the rural community of Laelai-Maichew district was about 46.8%. The majority, 71.1% of households in CLTSH implemented Villages and 93.5%of households in CLTSH non-implemented Villages did not have hand washing facility around their latrine. Community-led to total sanitation and hygiene non-implemented villages were 49% times less likely to utilize their latrine compared to those community-led total sanitation implemented villages [AOR=0.51 95% CI (0.35, 0.75)]. Households owned latrines for two and above years were 1.5 more likely to utilize their latrine [AOR=1.50 95% CI (1.21, 2.59)] than those of owning latrines for less than two years. In this study, latrine use rate was low. As a result, the local, national governmental and non-governmental organization should design programs to create behavioral changes on the community’s attitude towards latrine utilization.

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Monitoring migrant groups as a post-validation surveillance approach to contain the potential reemergence of lymphatic filariasis in Togo

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04644-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Monique Ameyo Dorkenoo ◽

Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽

Degninou Yehadji ◽

Kossi Yakpa ◽

Mawèké Tchalim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Test Strip ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Positive Case ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Case Investigation ◽

Migrant Groups

Abstract Background In March 2017, Togo was declared the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, but post-validation surveillance has been lacking. In some areas of the country, migrant groups from neighboring countries that are still endemic for LF pose a risk of reintroduction of LF to Togo. The objective of this study was to identify the risk posed by migrant groups by measuring their prevalence of LF infection and investigating any positive case using Togo’s case investigation algorithm to prevent resurgence of LF and sustain Togo’s elimination success. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 in the northernmost region of the country. Three migrant populations were identified: (i) nomadic Peuhls, (ii) Togolese members of local communities who migrate annually to neighboring countries for seasonal labor, and (iii) refugees from Ghana who came to Togo because of a communal conflict in Ghana. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographics and history of LF and MDA; all participants were tested for circulating filariasis antigen (CFA) using the filariasis test strip (FTS). Any CFA-positive case was confirmed with nocturnal microfilaremia. Results Refugees, seasonal economic migrants and nomadic Peuhls represented 42.1%, 31.4% and 26.5% of the study participants, respectively. The overall prevalence of CFA was 4.2% (58/1391) with the highest prevalence in the nomadic Peuhl group (11.9%), but only one of them (0.07%) was confirmed positive with nocturnal microfilaremia. Using the case investigation algorithm, no other positive case was identified in the positive case’s surroundings. Conclusion This study demonstrates that nomadic Peuhls, with a CFA prevalence of 11.9%, pose a potential risk for reintroduction of LF into Togo while Ghanaian refugees and seasonal economic migrants do not appear to pose a significant risk. Periodic monitoring of migrants, especially the nomadic Peuhl population, is a potential post-validation surveillance approach that could be used to promptly detect any LF cluster that may arise.

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Maternal healthcare utilsation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study of 29 nationally representative surveys

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e045992

Author(s):

Eugene Budu ◽

Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽

Richard Gyan Aboagye ◽

Ebenezer Kwesi Armah-Ansah ◽

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Utilisation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Service Utilisation ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Healthcare ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sub Saharan

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to examine the association between maternal healthcare utilisation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignOur study was a cross-sectional study that used pooled data from 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.ParticipantsA total of 60 964 mothers of children aged 11–23 months were included in the study.Outcome variablesThe main outcome variable was complete childhood vaccination. The explanatory variables were number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, assistance during delivery and postnatal care (PNC).ResultsThe average prevalence of complete childhood vaccination was 85.6%, ranging from 67.0% in Ethiopia to 98.5% in Namibia. Our adjusted model, children whose mothers had a maximum of three ANC visits were 56% less likely to have complete vaccination, compared with those who had at least four ANC visits (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.44, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.46). Children whose mothers were assisted by traditional birth attendant/other (aOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.56) had lower odds of complete vaccination. The odds of complete vaccination were lower among children whose mothers did not attend PNC clinics (aOR=0.26, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.29) as against those whose mothers attended.ConclusionThe study found significant variations in complete childhood vaccination across countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal healthcare utilisation (ANC visits, skilled birth delivery, PNC attendance) had significant association with complete childhood vaccination. These findings suggest that programmes, interventions and strategies aimed at improving vaccination should incorporate interventions that can enhance maternal healthcare utilisation. Such interventions can include education and sensitisation, reducing cost of maternal healthcare and encouraging male involvement in maternal healthcare service utilisation.

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Unravelling the Perspectives of Day and Night Traders in Selected Markets within a Sub-Saharan African City with a Malaria Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073468 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3468

Author(s):

Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo ◽

Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie ◽

Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu ◽

John Ahenkorah ◽

Emmanuel Afutu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Malaria Treatment ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African City ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Treatment Type ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Knowledge ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: Malaria is still endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with a high disease burden. Misconceptions about malaria contribute to poor attitudes and practices, further increasing the burden in endemic countries. Studies have examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of malaria among different populations. However, there seems to be no available literature reporting on the perspectives of day and night market traders. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on malaria KAP with a focus on day and night market traders. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving day and night market traders in 10 selected markets within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was carried out. Data were collected from consenting respondents using a structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 760 respondents (33.3% (n = 253) night and 66.7% (n = 507) day traders) interviewed, there was no significant difference between the day and night market traders in terms of malaria KAP. Although the market traders had an overall moderate knowledge (54.0% of the day traders and 56.5% of the night traders), misconceptions about malaria (especially that it could be caused by exposure to the sun) still existed among the traders. Moreover, the majority of the traders who demonstrated high knowledge (43.98%, n = 250) did not always take laboratory tests to confirm their suspicion, indicating poor attitude. Furthermore, the market traders’ choice of drug for malaria treatment (p = 0.001) and preferred malaria treatment type (orthodox or herbal) (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with their knowledge level. Conclusions: Despite the observation that no significant difference in KAP exists between day and night market traders, appropriate health education programs and interventions still need to be directed at misconceptions, poor attitudes, and poor practices revealed by this study. This will ultimately help in the prevention and control of malaria in Ghana, and globally.

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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Muslim Students, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing ◽

10.1177/00469580211013476 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 004695802110134

Author(s):

Chutima Rattanawan ◽

Suraiya Cheloh ◽

Asma Maimahad ◽

Malatee Tayeh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

School Age ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Anemia

Anemia is a global public health problem. The prevalence of anemia among different ages, genders or ethnic groups must be clarified in order to solve problems. This study proposed to determine the prevalence and factors related to anemia among the Muslim school-age population in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from 200 school-age subjects. The thalassemia screening was performed with KKU-OF and KKU-DCIP reagents. The prevalence of anemia in this study was 36.5%, divided into males and females, 33.3% and 39.1%, respectively. The means of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, and MCHC in the anemic group were significantly lower. The positive results for KKU-OF or KKU-DCIP or both were 15.0%, 2.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. The result of positive OF test was a significantly independent factor for anemia. The number of family members was 5 to 7 and more than 7 persons are related factors for anemia in this study. In summary, the contribution of thalassemia and socio-economic factor are associated factors to anemia in this population. These findings should be addressed in public health strategies for the control of anemia of school-aged Muslims in the region.

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