Anaemia among adolescents: assessing a public health concern in Lao PDR.
Adolescent
Anemia
/ epidemiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Ethnicity
/ statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Laos
/ epidemiology
Male
Minority Groups
/ statistics & numerical data
Nutritional Status
Prevalence
Public Health
/ statistics & numerical data
Rural Population
/ statistics & numerical data
Adolescence
LEARN: Sexual Reproductive Health, ANC and Nutrition
anaemia
public health
schools
sex differences
Journal
Global health action
ISSN: 1654-9880
Titre abrégé: Glob Health Action
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101496665
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2020
07 2020
Historique:
entrez:
4
8
2020
pubmed:
4
8
2020
medline:
9
3
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Lao PDR has identified the need to target adolescent public health concerns. Adolescents suffering from poor health and nutrition during rapid growth and development may be at risk of anaemia due to high iron requirements and the rapid depletion of body iron stores. This study assessed the prevalence and severity of anaemia among school adolescents in Pholhong district, Vientiane province, Lao PDR. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 randomly selected school adolescents across 8 high schools in a rural district of Vientiane province. Adolescents aged 10-18, both male and female, were recruited. Haemoglobin concentration from capillary blood was measured. Descriptive statistics were computed for prevalence of anaemia, anthropometric measurements, socio-economic and socio-demographic variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify determinants of anaemia among subjects. Results were expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in the study area was 19.4%. There was no difference in the prevalence of anaemia between younger and older adolescents, but the prevalence of anaemia was higher in female adolescents than among males (crude OR = 3.91, 95% CI 2.20 to 6.96). On univariate analysis, coming from an ethnic minority household was found to be significantly associated with anaemia among these adolescents (p < 0.05). After adjusting for other variables, only the effect of sex remained significant. Other factors showing no significant association with anaemia included parents' employment status, family size, and living conditions. The prevalence of anaemia in this population is of public health concern with adolescents of both sexes at risk of developing anaemia. The national nutrition programme to control and manage anaemia by distributing a weekly iron and folate supplement for adolescent girls together with a deworming programme twice per year appears to have partly successful but could be strengthened.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Lao PDR has identified the need to target adolescent public health concerns. Adolescents suffering from poor health and nutrition during rapid growth and development may be at risk of anaemia due to high iron requirements and the rapid depletion of body iron stores.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the prevalence and severity of anaemia among school adolescents in Pholhong district, Vientiane province, Lao PDR.
METHODS
A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 randomly selected school adolescents across 8 high schools in a rural district of Vientiane province. Adolescents aged 10-18, both male and female, were recruited. Haemoglobin concentration from capillary blood was measured. Descriptive statistics were computed for prevalence of anaemia, anthropometric measurements, socio-economic and socio-demographic variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify determinants of anaemia among subjects. Results were expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
The prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in the study area was 19.4%. There was no difference in the prevalence of anaemia between younger and older adolescents, but the prevalence of anaemia was higher in female adolescents than among males (crude OR = 3.91, 95% CI 2.20 to 6.96). On univariate analysis, coming from an ethnic minority household was found to be significantly associated with anaemia among these adolescents (p < 0.05). After adjusting for other variables, only the effect of sex remained significant. Other factors showing no significant association with anaemia included parents' employment status, family size, and living conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of anaemia in this population is of public health concern with adolescents of both sexes at risk of developing anaemia. The national nutrition programme to control and manage anaemia by distributing a weekly iron and folate supplement for adolescent girls together with a deworming programme twice per year appears to have partly successful but could be strengthened.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32741354
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1786997
pmc: PMC7480417
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1786997Références
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