Prevalence of anaemia and its associated factors in African children at one and three years residing in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

• DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v37i1.1160
• Publication Date: 2014-09-23T12:14:11Z
• Authors: Ramoteme L. Mamabolo; Marianne Alberts
• Keywords: Male; RT1-120; Anaemia; Nursing; folate; Cohort Studies; South Africa; 03 medical and health sciences; iron deficiency; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Prospective Studies; South African children; 2. Zero hunger; 1. No poverty; Infant; Anemia; vitamin B12; 3. Good health; Child, Preschool; Female

Objective: The present study evaluated the prevalence of anaemia and its determinants in one- three-year-old children from Capricorn District Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A prospective cohort conducted rural villages At birth, a 219 was followed until they were one three years age. Data collected included children’s anthropometric measurements, blood for biochemical analysis (full count, ferritin, folate vitamin B12) socio-demographic status.Results: year, (Hb < 11 g/dL) 52% children, decreasing to 22% by third year. Iron deficiency (ferritin 12 µg/mL) common these (39% 33% at year years, respectively) particularly presence anaemia. Folate B12 deficiencies (< 5 ng/mL 145 pg/mL, with accumulating enough years; however, levels remained fairly constant between two time points.Conclusion: There high participants Factors that increased risk were: mother only primary school education, male gender, overweight, combined overweight stunting. Protective factors against having younger who served as main caregiver.