1. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in preschool children of district Dir Lower Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Pakistan
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Abstract
Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is a serious public health problem affecting psychological and physical development, behavior and work performance. Infants, preschool children, school age children and women of child bearing age are at greatest risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. A total of 500 preschool were analyzed from various areas of the sample district for the presence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The overall incidence of anemia in preschool children was 43.2%. The prevalence of anemia was 43.6% in females and 42.8% in males. A high percentage of anemia was observed in children of 1-2 years age (50.4%) followed by children of 3-4 years age (42.2%). The incidence of anemia in preschool children was 55.4% in lower class, 37.8% in middle class and 32.3% in upper class. Out of 216 anemic preschool children 110 male and 106 female children possessed anemia. Among male children 22.6% possess mild anemia, 20.3% have moderate anemia and 7.8% were severely anemic while among female children, 20.8% are mild anemic, 18.9% were moderately anemic and 9.2% were severely anemic. A highest prevalence of anemia exists in children of illiterate parents followed by children of Matric, Bachelor and Master level parents. The incidence of anemia is 57.5%, 44.6%, 37.2% and 34.1% in children of illiterate, Matriculate, Bachelor and Master Level parents respectively. Low parental education, low socioeconomic status of the parents and poverty are the major contributing factors for iron deficiency anemia (IDA).The aim of the present survey was to find out the Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and its association with the children’s gender and parental socioeconomic and educational status in preschool children of district Dir lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.
Keywords: IDA; Parental education; Psychological development; Socioeconomic status