Determinants of factors associated with anemia among children under five years in Lesotho

Abstract

Context: Anaemia is a global public health problem which occurs mostly in developing countries. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with anaemia among children under five years of age in Lesotho.  Data and method: The logistic regression model was used to analyse the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data for 2009 and 2014.Findings: The results from the 2009 data set revealed that the nutritional (stunting) status of child, child’s age and mother’s anaemia status were the risk factors associated to childhood anaemia, whereas the findings from the 2014 data set showed that the nutritional status of child, whether the child had a fever in the last two weeks prior to the survey, child’s age and mother’s body mass index were risk factors associated with anaemia among children under five years.Conclusion: There is a need to improve the child health at an early age and nutritional status.