WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Zainab W. Ibrahim*, Dr. Ruqayah Y. Hassani and Dr. Zaid Y. Shindala

ABSTRACT

Background: under five years Anemia is most common hematological disorder in children in the globe, it is one of the major causes of death among children under five years in Iraq and the world, we do this study to assess the risk factors of iron deficiency anemia among children under five years. Aim of the study: is to evaluate risk factors of iron deficiency anemia in children under five years in Mosul city. Methods: We examine the risk factors of anemia in children under five years in Ibn-sina teaching hospital and Mosul general hospital in Mosul. This facility based retrospective case control study recruited 240 children (120 cases and 120 controls) aged under 5 years (6 to 59 months). Simple random sampling technique was used to select mothers attending the two hospitals for treating their children. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire. Result: The results showed that most important risk factors of IDA are; male gender(M:F=2.07:1), age 7-24 months(45.8%), residence in rural areas is an important factor, low SECS, exclusive breast feeding for more than 6 months, late introduction of complementary food, poor dietary diversity has strong association with IDA in children. The study recommends that there is an urgent need to assess the nutritional status of preschool-age children and the mothers before and in pregnancy. Recommendations: IDA is a serious health problem in infant and young children under 5 years, it has serious effects on child growth and development, attention is advised for infants and young children at a higher risk of developing iron deficiency for early detection and controlling of IDA in this age group.

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