Peer-reviewed article

Burden and Predictors of Anaemia in Children 1 to 5 Years at the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality in Ghana.

Sly-Moore E, Nguah SB, Mahama H, Antwi S · 26 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background The burden and effects of anaemia remain high worldwide, with predictors varying by location, demographics, and socioeconomic factors. Knowing localised, specific predictors of anaemia helps develop targeted local interventions. We therefore set out to determine the prevalence and predictors of anaemia in a semiurban and rural community in Ghana. Methods From June to August 2021, a community-based cross-sectional study using multilevel sampling was conducted in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana. Four hundred and seventy-six children, aged one to five, were recruited from four communities in the Kasei Subdistrict. Using a structured questionnaire, clinical, demographic, anthropometric, dietary and laboratory data, including blood haemoglobin, were obtained. The data were entered into EpiData and analysed with R statistical software. A multivariate ordinal logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of increasing anaemia severity. Results The prevalence of anaemia was 76.3% (95% CI: 72.2-80.0), with mild, moderate and severe anaemia being 28.8% (95% CI: 24.7-33.1), 44.3% (95% CI: 39.8-48.9) and 3.2% (95% CI: 1.8-5.1), respectively. Two hundred and fifty (52.5%) children had malaria parasitaemia. Independent predictors of worsening anaemia severity were increasing age (aOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98, p < 0.001), child eating from his/her bowl as opposed to communal eating (aOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28-0.80, p = 0.005), stunting (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.17-2.88, p = 0.009), malaria parasitaemia (aOR = 3.62, 95% CI: 2.42-5.46, p < 0.001) and mothers' religion (aOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.62-3.68, < 0.001). Conclusions The Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality has a high burden of anaemia and malaria parasitaemia in children between one and five years old. Malaria parasitaemia, communal eating, younger age and the mother's religion were significantly associated with worsening anaemia. It is recommended that intermittent antimalarial treatment, routine administration of iron and trace elements, and counselling at well-baby and antenatal clinics on specific predisposing dietary habits be instituted for children under five years of age.